At the Table with Jesus: Unexpected Guest

When Jesus is was invited over for a meal, it was always eventful… there was always a story that brought a lesson of eternal value into the home… the unexpected was common when Jesus showed up to a meal.

Luke 7:36-50

Luke 7:36-50 (NIV) 36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

PRAY

Jesus was reclining after dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house then a woman, who had a sinful reputation, shows up uninvited.

When we invite Jesus into our house, people will show up. People we would never want to invite… People who are not like us… who don’t look like us… act like us… live like us… talk… dress… vote like us.

Jesus will always expect our invitation to the table but…

When Jesus is at our table, expect the unexpected.

When Jesus is at our table, real transformation will naturally follow.

When Jesus is at our table, our life will be challenged

When Jesus is at our table, expect the unexpected.

When Jesus is invited into our home, be prepared for the unexpected.

This Pharisee, this religious leader and teacher, wanted to keep a good reputation in the community so he was shocked by Jesus’ lack of offense.

He thought to himself, that if Jesus were a prophet, HE would know that this woman was sinful, dirty, she had a bad reputation in the community. Jesus should have stopped this and escorted her out of his home.

But, Jesus did not play the reputation game… HE saw her as a person HE dearly loved, who was bogged down by her past, her sin, her poor choices… this woman was in need of freedom and only God’s forgiveness could truly bring her that true freedom.

When Jesus is at our table, real transformation will naturally follow.

When Jesus is at our table, HIS love requires a response.