Amazing Grace: Jesus' Gift for the Broken

Theme: Jesus’ amazing grace is freely given, fully forgives, and forever changes those who receive it.

Introduction

Heavenly Rates

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, “Here’s how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you’ve done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.”

“Okay,” the man says, “I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart.”

“That’s wonderful,” says St. Peter, “that’s worth three points!”

“Three points?” he says. “Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service.”

“Terrific!” says St. Peter, “that’s certainly worth a point.”

“One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans.”

“Fantastic, that’s good for two more points,” he says.

“TWO POINTS!!” the man cries, “At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!”

“Exactly, son! Come on in!”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

The theme of the day is this amazing grace our dear Lord and Savior offers us. You read in the Life Groups hours of the amazing grace Jesus showed for the Nobleman’s son by healing him from far away. Oh the grace of Jesus.

What do we mean when we speak of this grace?

When we speak of the word Grace we know it means unmerited favor. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, specifically, it is the undeserved love and acceptance from another. For us Christians, Grace is synonymous with the gospel, God’s gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ. Amen. Oh dear Lord show Your grace upon us this day.

Dr. Charles Ryrie in his book, The Grace of God writes:

The Grace of God I. Introduction

“OH, HAD YOU BUT RECOGNIZED the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.” The centuries that have elapsed since Augustine wrote this have in no way diminished man’s need for knowing the grace of God. Christianity is distinct from all other religions because it is a message of grace. Jesus Christ is the supreme revelation of God’s grace; salvation is by grace; and grace governs and empowers Christian living. Without grace Christianity is nothing. He goes on to write: Jesus Christ is the grace of God personified.”

Grace, Grace, God’s Grace, grace that is greater than all our sins. Amen.

Let’s continue focusing on God’s amazing grace, turn with me in your Bibles to Luke 7:36-50.

Luke 7:36-50

Luke 7:36–50 NKJV

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Prayer

Message

Let’s remember for a moment Luke’s objective. Firstly, he provided an orderly account to Theophilus of who Jesus is.

We also know that Luke emphasized the humanity of Jesus in referring to Him as “the Son of man.” Lastly, we know that he communicated that Jesus was the Savior for all people. Jesus wants to be an agent of His grace in your life.

You remember the text:

Luke 19:10 “10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””

In Luke 7, a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to his home to eat a meal. It was commonplace to invite a Rabbi that had spoken at synagogue on the Sabbath to go home with someone for a meal. That is still commonplace today. I am invited by you to go and have lunch and I appreciate those intimate times when we break bread together.

Unfortunately in this case, Simon had a different agenda. The noise among the religious elite was that Jesus claimed He was a prophet. Simon had already had his mind made up to probe and look upon Jesus skeptically. We can only assume that Simon wanted to see for himself first hand this man and he rejected Jesus before he ever really got to know him.

Now, let me quickly address a matter that may bring about confusion. Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 4:3-9, and John 12:1-8 records similar but different incidents in the life of Jesus. There is commonality in the stories in Matthew, Mark, and John, but the story is different in Luke 7. The similarities in Matthew, Mark and John’s account were that the incident happened in Bethany toward the end of his public ministry. Secondly, we know that in that incident, Simon was referred to as a leper, not a Pharisee. Thirdly, we know that the woman mentioned was Mary of Bethany, Lazarus’ and Martha’s sister.

What are the differences in these accounts?

Furthermore, in those gospel accounts she is not referred to as a sinner. In Luke’s account the woman who was a sinner wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. In the other accounts the spikenard was used to anoint Jesus’ head. Lastly, the incident we study today was toward the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

All that being said, I am of the humble opinion these were two totally different incidents in the life of Jesus.

During the meal, an unexpected guest arrived. I imagine doors were open to allow air flow while eating or up until time to go to bed for the evening. There were not even fans at this time. The Bible teaches that a woman with a sinful reputation entered the home with the sole mission of seeing Jesus. We can only assume the woman was dressed well and carrying this oil, the one attending the door could have assumed she was someone’s guest at the table. It is mere speculation. What happens at this point is shocking from several vantage points.

Firstly, her life stood in complete contrast to the home in which she entered.

V. 37 states “and behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner” entered the Pharisee’s house. Something amazing came over this woman to take a bold step of this nature and overcome all the eyes staring, prejudices and the uncomfortable welcoming to commit such an act in the presence of all the religious elite of the day.

What was the driving force that caused her to push beyond socioeconomic, cultural, religious and every other bias that was apparent and drive her to enter that home on the Sabbath?

Furthermore, what motivated her to take very expensive fragrant oil and show these expressions of love for our Lord and Savior as she did?

We know from Mark 14:5 that these types of oils could cost 300 denarii; in other words a years wages to purchase.

Let’s really grasp the scene. She walked into the Pharisee’s house and all these men are reclining at the table to eat a meal. In biblical times, one laid and propped on their left elbow and you used their right hand to eat. Their extremities were pointed away from the table. Their feet were away as they reclined to eat.

As Jesus reclined, this woman “in the city who was a sinner” is the exact way that Luke described her means that she was not a commonplace sinner. She was not an under the radar sinner like most of us are.

She was most likely a professional sinner, a prostitute or an adulteress. The culture of the day would communicate such actions in that fashion. Again, only speculation, but highly likely. Her reputation proceeded her if you get my drift.

When she got up the nerve to enter the home and she saw Jesus and was behind Him, her immediate response was crying and I mean crying as in sobbing. She was crying to the point that her tears were saturating the feet of Jesus.

She had nothing in which to soak up the tears and so she takes the strands of her hair and she begins to wash the feet of Jesus. Remember, dusty Palestine. Remember sandals and no socks or either barefoot. Oh dearly beloved, in this humble estate she kissed the feet of Jesus. And she took expensive fragrant oil and began to bathe the feet of Jesus with a wonderful smelling perfume oil.

The only words we could come up with and say is what came over her?

Simon and the other guests were appalled, but Jesus responded with amazing grace, teaching a profound lesson about forgiveness, love, and redemption.

1. Grace is Freely Given (Luke 7:36-39)

We know that this woman had done nothing to earn the grace of Jesus. In fact, in verse 37 and I quote:

“and behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner”. The word sinner means her life missed the mark. She had committed offenses and trespasses that were contrary to the law. If we assume that her life was that of prostitution or adultery, we know from another excerpt in the Bible that she could have been stoned to death for her actions. There was nothing in her life no more than there is anything in our lives that we can do to deserve God’s amazing grace.

The way I read this text, the fact Luke noted her living in the city was the fact that numerous people had eye witnessed her sin action. Luke wrote as if the information he rendered was common knowledge that everyone knew that lived in that town.

When we listen to Simon’s words in V. 39, “this man, if He were a prophet, would know and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” When we think of cultural context, we can only assume the woman lived a life of promiscuity. All we can do is speculate.

Leviticus 20:10 “10 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.”

Deuteronomy 22:22 “22 “If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel.”

Oh dearly beloved, her offense was serious in Bible times and the offense is serious today.

Today, we have a greater number in the later later generations who live together out of Holy wedlock and we wonder why our country, our homes and our churches are enjoying the struggles they enjoy today.

Simon revealed to us that her sins were heinous to say the least. She wasn’t silent in her sin like most of us are but she had a reputation. She put her life on display. In other words, Simon would have responded as the majority of us. He knew her reputation. He knew she was not someone he should hang around. She was somebody that would get him in trouble.

Is that how most of us respond to people? Simon was critical. Jesus was compassionate.

Simon would be one that distanced himself from sinners. Jesus embraced sinners.

In another Scripture recorded in Luke 15:2 “2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.””

Ephesians 2:13 “13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Oh listen dearly beloved.

Jesus never went anywhere by accident. He intentionally pursued people to bestow His amazing grace on them.

Jesus made it a point to go into the uncomfortable or to the people that society were prejudiced to. Jesus in John 4:1-42 we learn that Jesus “had to pass through Samaria” to minister to the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus intentionally went there to offer grace and living water for her sinful past.

Jesus had to go to Jericho for Zaachaeus. in Luke 19:1-10. Jesus as well pursued another sinner, Zacchaeus a chief tax collector. Tax collectors were known to overcharge for taxes the people owed and found tax collecting a profitable enterprise. The people despised tax collectors for their burdensome overcharging and the tax collector had all the enforcement power to do so. Jesus sought out Zacchaeus and left him repentant and generous.

Oh listen to me dear church, Jesus had to go to Jerusalem to go to the cross.

Luke 9:51 “51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,”

Jesus knew He was going to die when He went to Jerusalem, and yet He went on. He knew His mission to save mankind from their sins. Oh listen church, GRACE WAS NOT ACCIDENTAL, JESUS PURSUED THAT GRACE FOR US.

Oh listen dearly beloved, on that day the religious leaders would have rejected her, but Jesus received her into His presence.

Where are you today? Are you in such a place that certain individuals would not accept you? Jesus has His hands and arms open wide to receive you.

Romans 5:8 “8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

You might say to yourselves this morning, “I will never be good enough to approach Jesus. I will never have my act together in such a way that Jesus would accept me.”

And listen to me. I would have to say you are exactly right. You will never see the day or I will ever see the day that I’m good enough to approach Jesus. But listen to me, Jesus was good enough to approach you, yes, Jesus is perfect. His perfection offered up for you is available to save you, yes.

Listen to me. Jesus doesn’t wait on us to “fix” ourselves. Jesus meets us in our brokenness and His Holy Spirit works in our lives to fix the brokenness.

A hospital doesn’t wait until you are well to admit you no more than our Jesus. He meets you where you are at your greatest need.

Grace is not based on your reputation, grace is based on Jesus’ love.

2. Grace Fully Forgives (Luke 7:40-47)

Jesus told Simon a parable about two debtors that could not pay their debt. One owed 50 denarii and one owed 500 denarii.

How many of you have ever had a home mortgage or an automobile financed? Think about the toil and the time and the financial ups and downs that came about over time as you battled to settle the debt. A gracious banker comes along and tears up the mortgage or signs off on the title of the car and all of a sudden the debt is satisfied. How great would you feel? How much of a burden would be lifted?

Jesus told a parable about a creditor that had two debtors, one owed 50 denarii and one owed 500 denarii. A denarii was a days wages. One owed 2 months wages, and one owed almost two years wages.

Jesus asked the question, “Simon, who would appreciate the forgiveness of debt the most?” Simon, responded, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.” Jesus said, “You answered correctly.”

Simon makes a supposition. The answer was so obvious.

A. Grace is Based on Jesus, Not our Efforts (VV. 41-43)

For you see neither debtor had the ability to pay what they owed. Oh dearly beloved, this is a picture of our spiritual depravity, our spiritual bankruptcy. The creditor freely bestowed grace on both parties.

Romans 3:23 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Grace is a gift! Amen.

Jesus did not ask the woman to clean up first; He forgave her freely.

Oh dear brother or sister and I am speaking to those that may be listening on Social Media. If you wait to come to Jesus when you feel you are good enough, you will never be good enough to enter heaven. Heaven came down in Jesus and offers us an opportunity to allow Him to enter us and clean us, offer us life anew and offer us His peace.

Listen to Titus 3:5 “5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”

When we simply ask Christ to come into our heart and cleanse us and make us new, it is in His righteousness imputed in us that makes us whole and at peace with Him. Amen.

B. Grace Produces Gratitude (VV. 44-47)

Simon one one hand did not show any forms of Eastern hospitality other than the meal offered for Jesus. Simon felt justified by the works of the law and yet his attitude would not have been what it was had he felt whole or complete.

When our measure of being at peace is strictly by our goodness we always feel inadequate.

The woman on the other hand could not show enough expressions of her love and appreciation for Jesus. She loved with her heart- tears, she loved with with her actions-wiping his feet with her hair, with her resources-the oil. She gave of her entirety to the Lord for the grace He bestowed.

Those who recognize the need for God’s grace respond with greater love.

We see in the life of this woman real transformation that revealed itself through worship and love.

Oh dearly beloved, we discussed last week that when you experience real forgiveness, God’s grace for your sin and wrongdoing, you will feel a tremendous burden of guilt and shame leave you.

3. Grace Forever Changes (Luke 7:48-50)

Oh dearly beloved, when Jesus forgave this woman He accomplished two important characteristics in her life and He accomplishes those same characteristics in our life.

New Person

Peace

A. God made this woman a new person, a new identity in Christ. (VV. 48-49)

Simply by His words Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven you.”

While the religious elite were questioning Jesus place or position to forgive sin, the Woman experienced the power of Jesus to forgive sin.

Oh dearly beloved, as this story is a great celebration in the life of the woman at Jesus’ feet, there is a sadness as well.

The Pharisee, Simon in this story represents one who is a good person, a great person, respected and loved by many, but not a perfect person. Simon represents so many that feel they have no need for salvation because of the life they have lived. Simon and so many others are guilty of the sin of self righteousness and that can be the most difficult scenario to see the need for Jesus.

James 2:10 “10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Secondly, one of the great dangers of the religious is comparing ourselves to others to feel better about our shortcomings.

John 1:12 “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”

I like simple words we can understand:

Gods Grace Causes our Past to Go Away

Jesus erases our past, we must also. Amen.

God’s Grace Erases our Past and Births a New Person in Christ Jesus.

B. God’s Grace Brings Peace (V. 50)

Jesus told the woman, “your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

She came with weeping and brokenness and left with joy and peace.

Philippians 4:7 “7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Oh dearly beloved, when you receive God’s grace and sense real forgiveness, you will walk in peace rather than guilt and shame.

In closing today, Grace is freely given-Jesus welcomes sinners such as I and you. Grace fully forgives-our sin debt is completely paid and never to be remembered any more. Lastly, Grace Forever Changes-it provides us a new life and brings peace.

Just like the woman at Jesus’ feet, we all need God’s amazing grace.

Are you carrying a burden of past sins today? Do you feel unworthy or in need of forgiveness?

Oh dear brother or sister, Jesus’ grace is available to you today.

Hebrews 4:16 “16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Let’s pray.