Luke 7:36-50: Forgiven Much

If we look at the gospels chronologically we know that the story we are about to read happens right after Jesus had preached and said the following words Matthew 11:28-30

Mateo 11:28–30 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

After this sermon we see that a man named Simon asks Jesus to come to his house and eat

It’s possible that this happened on a Saturday after Jesus had taught in the synagogue

We really don’t know the reason behind Simon’s invitation, but we know that it was an important event

It’s possible that Simon loved having famous or well known people over to his house

It’s difficult to understand why Simon invited Jesus over to his house immediately after he had called the pharisees a bunch of spoiled children

1. A Broken Woman v. 37-38

Her past was dark

All of the sudden we see a third character enter the scene

The Bible describes her as:

A woman in the city/of the city v. 37

A sinner v. 37

What manner of woman this is v. 39

She is a sinner v. 39

Her sins, which are many v. 47

The majority of commentators and historians believe this woman might have been a prostitute

This fact makes the story even more outrageous

Her presence was unwanted

In biblical times this meal would’ve been a public occasion

The houses were open and the “yard” was right in the middle of the house

The neighbors would como over to see who the guests were and see if there was anyone famous, etc.

They’d watch, listen and pay attention while the guests of honor would have a conversation with the host

But when we see this story there’s one person that sticks out terribly

Everything about this woman is “wrong”

She doesn’t belong in the home of a religious man

Her actions are inappropriate in any context

To have a “sinner” in the house of a man who is widely known for practicing separation from “those types” of people tells us she’s not welcome

But she was there to see Jesus

Her posture

And here we begin to see the heart of this woman

It’s obvious that this woman knows who Jesus is

She also knows what he has said and done

It’s possible that she was in the multitude when Jesus spoke the words Matthew 11:28-30

Mateo 11:28–30 KJV 1900

She found rest and peace in Jesus

She came to hear him, maybe even to thank him

Some people think that she came with the intent to anoint his head with this perfume

But as she stood there as a spectator her emotions overtook her and she feel at his feet

The Bible never tells us why she cried, but it’s evident that it all flows from a heart of love

It could be her repentance that brought her to tears

It could be her thankfulness because Jesus had forgiven her sins and done so much for her

Who knows why she was crying?

But all of the sudden her tears fall on the feet of Jesus

This woman that belonged to the crowd of “publicans and sinners” had found forgiveness at the feet of Jesus

As she sees that her tears have fallen on Jesus’ feet she undoes her hair and starts to clean His feet with her hair

This is a terribly immodest thing to do

Some historical books say that for a woman to walk with her hair down is equivalent to her being naked in public

But this woman isn’t concerned about any of the cultural norms

She doesn’t care about other people’s opinions

Nothing nor no one exists in the world except her and Jesus

There is so much to learn and glean from this woman and her attitude

It’s an act of worship, of love, of appreciation, of humility, of sacrifice

She kisses Jesus’ feet. What humility!

She takes this alabaster box that is around her neck and she breaks it to anoint Jesus’ feet with her perfume

This was a very common keepsake for women of that day

They would have a necklace with a little bottle of perfume on it

This perfume she had was very costly

The alabaster box was a very soft and expensive stone

This perfume was probably worth a whole year’s wages

But Jesus was worth her breaking the box and pouring it out as an act of love and worship

There is never a price too high to pay for Jesus

Only slaves were supposed to wash feet

But she humbly washed Jesus’ feet out of her own will with joy

2. A Critical Man v. 39-40

In the next verse we see this religious man and his attitude

His negative attitude isn’t only toward the woman but also toward Jesus

This man thinks he knows everything he needs to know

He thinks he understands the situation but, actually, he couldn’t be further from the truth

He says “if this man were a prophet”

While Jesus had been calling himself the Messiah, the one that was to come

Jesus had shown his power through healings and even raising people from the dead

But Simon’s view of Jesus is one of a normal man

He criticizes Jesus and woman together

Simon says “What manner of woman” is touching Jesus shouldn’t even be close to somebody like Him

Pharisees were very jealous of the law

And instead of loving their neighbor they were known for separating and isolating themselves from any of these sinners

Sinners don’t deserve the presence of God or of Simon

Simon thinks that Jesus doesn’t see what’s going on, but Jesus has seen Simon

Instead of saying “she’s a sinner” he should’ve said “I’m a sinner”

Simon’s problem was that he was blind

He couldn’t see himself as he was, he couldn’t see the woman or Jesus in the right light

Jesus proves that he’s a prophet by telling Simon what he just thought

3. A Contrast In Motivations v. 41-50

The parable

Jesus here gives such a short but understandable parable

There are two debtors, one owes 10x more than the other

But the creditor forgives them both

500 pence would’ve been the equivalent of 1 1/2 years to 2 years worth of salary

50 pence would’ve been the equivalent of 1 1/2 months to 2 months worth of salary

But the important thing to notice here isn’t the amount of debt that each debtor had

It’s important to notice that neither could make the payment

Neither had the possibility to pay off their debt

The parable doesn’t focus on the amount of the debt but rather on the knowledge of their debt

Jesus asks Simon “which of them will love him most?”

And Simon’s answer is correct “he, to whom he forgave most.”

Simon is completely right in his answer

But you can even notice in his own tone of voice that he doesn’t recognize his need of forgiveness

He doesn’t recognize his own debt before the Lord

He has reached the height of arrogance as he stands before the Messiah

“Master, say on”

“I suppose”

The application

Jesus responds in a rather ironic way “Thou hast rightly judged”

Jesus continues saying “Seest thou this woman?”

Simon thought he had seen everything

But Simon could only see the woman’s past

Everyone knew about this woman’s sin and reputation

But no one could see Simon’s sin

Both of them were spiritually bankrupt before God

But the contrast between Simon and this woman’s actions is completely opposite

Simon - Didn’t give Jesus water to wash his feet

Woman - Washed his feet with tears

Simon - Didn’t greet Jesus with a kiss

Woman - Kissed Jesus’ feet

Simon - Didn’t anoint Jesus’ head with cheap, common olive oil

Woman - anointed his feet with expensive perfume

She loves much because her many sins have been forgiven

Forgiveness

For a creditor to forgive all debts from his debtors goes against all social norms and expectations

But God’s forgiveness is the same, it goes against all social norms and expectations Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13, 3:13

Efesios 1:7 KJV 1900

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1 Pedro 1:18–19 KJV 1900

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Romanos 8:32 KJV 1900

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Efesios 4:32 KJV 1900

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Colosenses 2:13 KJV 1900

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Colosenses 3:13 KJV 1900

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Conclusion

Contrast

This story is a story of contrast between two people

Simon was unaware of his need for a Savior and in turn didn’t receive forgiveness or experience God’s love

Simon didn’t believe he had any debt and considered himself a good person in the eyes of God

The woman was only conscious of one thing: that she needed a Savior and in turn received forgiveness and experienced great love

Self sufficiency closes the doors to God. Thinking we don’t need Jesus

The greatest sin is being unaware of our sin

But when we recognize our need before the Lord it will open up the doors of forgiveness from God

One of the greatest effects of the gospel is that it makes us aware of our sin and our need of God

Paul recognized this in his own life 1 Timothy 1:15

1 Timoteo 1:15 KJV 1900

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Salvation

In this passage we see many terms referring to salvation

“Thy sins are forgiven” v. 48

“Thy faith hath saved thee” v. 50

Obviously it isn’t the woman’s love that saves her

And it isn’t her works that saved her

Faith is what saves v. 50 Ephesians 2:8-9

Efesios 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God’s word shows us that we have all sinned Romans 3:10, 23

Romanos 3:10 KJV 1900

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romanos 3:23 KJV 1900

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

And that we can only be saved through Jesus John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 John 2:2

Juan 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Hechos de los Apóstoles 4:12 KJV 1900

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1 Juan 2:2 KJV 1900

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

And that we can only be saved by believing on Jesus John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:40; Romans 10:9-10, 13

Juan 3:16 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Juan 3:36 KJV 1900

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Juan 5:24 KJV 1900

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Juan 6:40 KJV 1900

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Romanos 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romanos 10:13 KJV 1900

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

It doesn’t matter who you are in life, God wants to save you and He can save you

And when someone is saved that can “go in peace” Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20

Romanos 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Colosenses 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Jesus tells us to come to Him Matthew 11:28-29

Mateo 11:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

A life of thankfulness

How many of us could identify with the woman in this passage?

The greatest way to remember the great salvation that we’ve received is to remember where God brought us from

It’s by remembering how terribly lost we were without Him

It’s remembering that my sin is what took Him to the cross

We love Him because He first loved us 1 John 4:19-21

1 Juan 4:19–21 KJV 1900

19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Can we identify the same sacrifice, service, humility, thankfulness and love in our own lives?