Tom Mount – December 1, 2024
Scripture reading: Luke 7:36-50
Introduction
- If someone asked you: what does it mean to be saved? how would you answer?
- To be saved is to be restored, made whole, to flourish. Not just you but the whole creation.
- But salvation begins by being made right with God: sins forgiven, hostility ended, reconciliation effected, righteousness imparted so now there is no barrier to the relationship.
- Today’s text gives us a poignant example of what forgiveness looks like.
Jesus forgives our sins
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.
- “one of the Pharisees invited Jesus” – It was common to invite traveling rabbis to a meal
- “reclined at table” – A typical ANE banquet arrangement.
- “sinful life” – Luke is vague here. Was she an adulteress? A prostitute?
- “came there” – Common for the door to be open and townspeople to stand along walls.
- “alabaster jar of perfume” – Nard and other perfumes were extremely costly.
- “weeping” – Why? Gratitude for having been forgiven previous to this event.
- “kissed them’ – A sign of respect, gratitude, loyalty and devotion.
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.”
- “said to himself” – He mumbled or thought it. Either way, he telegraphed his contempt.
- “if this man were a prophet…” – Simon assumed what a true prophet would know/do.
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.”
- “denarius” – One day’s wage for a common laborer: 1 ½ months vs. 1 ½ years worth.
- Two things to note: 1) Her loving gratitude, 2) Jesus’ grateful receptiveness to it.
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.”
- “Your sins are forgiven” – Jesus does three things here: 1) He affirms her as a person of faith (cf. v.50), 2) He goes on public record that her sins are cleansed, 3) He declares his own authority to forgive sins (i.e., that he is God!). Some guests take note of this.
- “Go in peace” – she is finally in a state to enjoy God’s peace. We experience God’s shalom only when our consciences are clear and we are right with God, ourselves and others.
Takeaways
- Do you know with absolute certainty that all your sins—especially the worst—are forgiven and that you are now defined, not by your failures, but by God’s gracious forgiveness and restorative love?
- In what ways do you show your love for God in response to his grace toward you? What might be some additional ways to show your love that would please the Lord?