The Pharisee and the Woman with the Alabaster Jar

Intro

It is sooooo good to be back out of isolation

*Joke about not losing taste; give brief family experience*

I did a lot of reading during isolation

*Share about accidentally skipping ahead*

We don’t often want to go the end of the story first, but that is what we are going to do today

Work our way backwards through the story of the Pharisee and the woman with the alabaster jar

Read Luke 7:36 - 50 and pray

Forgiveness, Faith and Love

This passage is all about the forgiveness of sins available in Jesus Christ (re-read v. 47-48)

Of course, only God could offer the forgiveness of sins, so this was a controversial claim

Causes quite a reaction! (v. 49)

Jesus has done this before: Healing the paralytic (Luke 5)

All to prove that He was more concerned with people’s spiritual well being than just their physcial well-being.

This is in accordance with Jesus’ mission (given by the angel in Matt 1:21): To save people from their sins

What no one else in this story could anticipate was the lengths Jesus would go to in order to secure the forgiveness He promised:

He would suffer and die to forgive you.

Because of the cross and the goodness of God, the forgiveness offered to us by Jesus knows no bounds

The “sinful woman” was likely a prostitute

Public shame and sin

In comparison, the Simon the Pharisee seemed closer to God

Once again reminded of the social expectation that rabbis and religious leaders would not give the time of day to openly sinful people (v. 39)

One powerful truth from this lesson is that the forgiveness of Jesus Christ is extended to you today… no matter how sinful you are.

Do you feel overwhelmed by sin? Do you feel unworthy of the forgiveness and love of Jesus? Do you feel the weight of public shame and scorn?

This is a promise for you to hold onto! In Jesus, you are forgiven.

So how do you receive this forgiveness? By faith (v. 50)

In Luke, Jesus has created a pattern of connecting faith and forgiveness/salvation/healing:

Centurion in Luke 7:9, woman who touches his cloak in Luke 8:48.

Now, faith does not EARN salvation or forgiveness; it RECEIVES it.

Faith is not signing off on a statement of beliefs, proper doctrine or thinking a certain way: It is a deep trust that Jesus has secured your salvation and forgiven you completely.

Cf. Psalm 103:12: Believe, trust and be forgiven.

Faith that accepts forgiveness is revealed through the love we have for the one who forgives us.

“Jesus is not saying that the woman’s action had earned forgiveness, nor even that her love had merited it. In line with his little parable and his later words (50), he is saying that her love is proof that she had already been forgiven. It was her response to God’s grace.” (Leon Morris)

Order matters: forgiveness -> faith -> love (why we are going through the story backwards)

Jesus use a parable to explain that love is a natural, beautiful response to forgiveness (v. 41-43)

1 denarius = days wage; both large debts, one even unpayable

Who would love more? Simon (begrudingly) admits that it is the one with the larger debt.

The sinful woman is weeping and loving Jesus with all that she has

Simon has been an ungrateful and rude host

What does our response of love say about the state of our faith and forgiveness?

I love the powerful testimony of those Jesus has saved from rock bottom:

*Share story of Cheryl*

This is your invitation too!

Remember, if you have grown up in the church, heed the warning given to the Pharisees

No one is actually forgiven “little” (we all desperately need forgiveness)

Don’t let your love grow cold!

How the woman shows her heartfelt love for Jesus gives us a practical way to cultivate this love in our own hearts and lives.

Acts of Love

The forgiven woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears

Footwashing was a standard practice of courtesty (and necessity)

Hosts were socially required to provide water for washing (which Simon had not done)

But only social inferiors would wash the feet of another

Cf. John 13:12-15.

The forgiven woman washes the feet of Jesus as an act of humility and service

True love of those forgiven is revealed in our service to Christ who forgave us

Acts of service is a love language (one important to my wife)

Also important to God. We love Him when we gratefully serve Him

Obedience to His commands, volunteering in church, helping the less fortunate, sharing the forgiveness you have received, etc.

As Jesus displayed in John 13, we serve Him well as we willingly serve others

Footwashing has long been a staple in Mennonite churches for this reason

What type of attitude do we bring to Jesus and to others? Are we willing to be footwashers?

The forgiven woman kissed the feet of Jesus

Greeting with a holy kiss was a standard sign of respect by a host (which was neglected by Simon)

This also became standard practice in the early church (and still some churches today!)

Not covid friendly… *Not done in Mennonite circles!*

The woman goes further than social convention: She unabashedly kisses the feet of Jesus in a pure act of affection

The love she had for Jesus was heartfelt and passionate (weeping, kissing)

It was NOT erotic or seductive, like her normal trade

Not eros love, not phileo love, but agape love (modeled by God)

True love of those forgiven is heartfelt and grateful; agape love

Jesus is not just a get out of hell free card. His forgiveness is not some impersonal contract or judicial decision

This is deeply personal; we should be moved by what Jesus has done for us

Love like this cannot be conjured up, but instead can be cultivated by focusing on the great love Jesus has displayed for us

Feeling spiritually dry? Spend quality time in the Word and in prayer; spend time abiding in Christ

Otherwise, we will be distracted and unfocused

*Use the ‘Family Guy’ example*

The forgiven woman anointed the feet of Jesus with oiled perfume

Not really “ointment;” this was expensive and treasured

To anoint someone with oil was NOT standard practice, but would have gone above and beyond to honour a guest and give him reverence

Cf. Psalm 23:5.

The woman displays her love by honouring Jesus with everything she has to give

It is an act of worship bourne out of love

Her praise is perfume on the feet of Christ

True love of those forgiven is expressed through worship of the God who has forgiven them

Worship on Sunday mornings allows us to express our love for Jesus

Engaged worship can also cultivate the heartfelt agape love (though secondary)

Worship must go beyond Sundays and music. How can we pour oil on Jesus feet?

Write down things you are thankful for, enjoy God’s creation, praise more than you complain.

Let our lives be sweet oil, anointing the feet of Jesus.

Conclusion

You are forgiven, no matter the extent or heaviness of your sin

Jesus has done enough for you, and loves you without limit

The way to receive this forgiveness is through faith

A deep personal trust in who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for you

Your forgiveness and faith will be revealed in your love

Love Jesus through acts of service, heartfelt appreciation, and daily worship.

Pray