BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 18

Tale of Two Sinners

Luke 7:36-50

It is so easy to have preconceived ideas about other people.  First impressions sometimes make it difficult to really get to know an individual.  I sometimes jump to conclusions before having any facts before making a decision.  All too often I look at those things that should not be a determinate factor on whether I would accept that person as a friend.  It may be the way they are dressed or even their personalities.  I have to be very careful to make sure that I view people through the eyes of Christ.  It is He who knows the heart of each of us.

I have shared in my testimony that as a young person I never did anything that would have been considered really bad in my own eyes. Having said that, it would be very easy for me to become self-righteous.  Of course like all boys I have done some mischievous things of which I am not proud of now. I have learned over the years that even the smallest sin makes me out of fellowship with God.  He did not jump to conclusions about me.  Everything I have ever done and will do, He already knows.  That one fact puts me in a desperate situation.  Thankfully, Jesus has looked beyond those sins and has poured out His mercy and grace on me.

What we do individually is only multiplied when it comes to the church. The important question  for all churches today is how do you treat your guests?  Do we jump to conclusions about them as soon as the step on church grounds?  It is so easy to ignore them and let them leave without an acknowledgement of their presence in any way.  We especially treat them that way if they do not appear to be like us.  We never try to find out anything about them or why they came through the doors of the church.  We have to be careful that we do not think of ourselves as having figured life out and no longer have any spiritual needs to be met. To elevate ourselves above others is a form of pride which makes us a sinner in need of the spiritual healing that only Jesus can bring.  We must remember that the ground at the foot of the cross is level. 

There were two sinners in the narrative found in Luke 7.  One realized their condition.  The other did not.  We will look at how Jesus addressed each of them.

Luke 7:36

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal with him.  There could be at least three reasons he asked Jesus to eat with him.

1. He may have been a seeker after wisdom and truly wanted to learn from this Rabbi who had newly arrived on the scene.
2. He may have wanted to try and trap Him in what He said or did so that he could report it to the other religious leaders.
3. He may have just wanted to be seen with those considered a celebrity by the people and did not care about Jesus as a person at all.

Jesus accepted his invitation and after entering the home He reclined at the table.  To recline at the table in the Middle Eastern culture was to lean on the table with your left arm. The person’s legs would then be extended out from the table toward the wall.  This would allow them to eat with their right hand.

1. What are some of the reasons that the Pharisee may have had for inviting Jesus to eat with him?
2. What was the first thing that Jesus did upon entering into the house?
3. What can we learn about the Middle Eastern culture from what was written above?

Luke 7:37-38

While they were reclining at the table a woman entered into the room.  Luke describes her as one who evidently was well known in the city as a sinner.  The woman did something that was unheard of in the culture of that day by going into the house of a Pharisee.  It was no accident that she was there.  Evidently, she had planned to approach Jesus when the opportunity presented itself.  Luke said of her, she brought with her a small vial of perfume.  There was no better time than in a setting of a small dinner party away from the glaring stares of the crowds who were following Him.  Aware of her own sinfulness she was willing to even endure the wrath of a Pharisee in order to get relief from her miserable condition.  Standing behind Him she began to weep which dropped on the feet of Jesus. She was desperate and realized that Jesus was the only one who could help her overcome her life of sin.  

Her next act gave an indication of the type of woman she was.  Respectable women would never have let their hair down in public.  She however did not care what others thought and began wiping away the tears with her hair and kissing His feet in homage to Him. Then, she took the vial of perfume and poured it out anointing His feet with it.  Jesus did not reprimand her or make her stop what she was doing.  He accepted her worship.

1. How did Luke describe the woman who entered into the home of the Pharisee?
2. Why was it strange for a woman to enter the room where men would be dining? (The Pharisee would have never had anything to do with such a woman.)
3. What indicated that this was preplanned on her part?
4. What caused her to begin to weep as she did? (She realized her sinfulness.)
5. What shows us that she was a sinful woman? (Proper women would not let down their hair in public.)
6. What was the final act that showed her complete brokenness?
7. Why did Jesus not turn her away but accepted her worship?

Luke 7:39

The Pharisee responded as would be expected.  He jumped to a conclusion about Jesus. Although he did not say anything out loud his thoughts spoke volumes about him.  His immediate conclusion was that Jesus could not possibly be a prophet because surely one who was sent as a spokesman from God would have:   

• Known the reputation of the woman.
• Not allowed her to touch Him.
• Known that she was a sinner.

 

1. What was the attitude of the Pharisee toward Jesus? (Showed disgust and disrespect for his guest.)
2. What did he find objectionable about Jesus’ actions?
3. In what way was this jumping to conclusions?
4. What did this show about Pharisee’s regard for others?
5. If he had known what kind of woman she was why did she have to come to Jesus to be healed spiritually?
6. Who else would fall under the condemnation of the Pharisee?
7. If you had been there what would have been your reaction to the actions of the woman?

Luke 7:40-42

Jesus knew what Simon, the Pharisee, was thinking.  Rather than responding directly to him, He told a parable. Two people had borrowed some money and could not repay it.  One owed what was equivalent to a hundred days wages and the other fifty.  The lender graciously forgave both of them the debt they owed.  Jesus asked Simon a question which spoke to one’s heart condition.  He said, “Which of them would love him (the moneylender) more?”

1. How did Jesus know what Simon was thinking? (Because He knew the mindset of Pharisees and their disdain for others.)
2. Why did Jesus tell a story? (It was the easiest way to get His point across without accusing Simon of judgmental attitude)
3. What was the point that Jesus was trying to convey? (Those who are in debt are the same in the eyes of the debtor.  Both are helpless to help themselves.)
4. Why did Jesus use the word love when speaking of what the lender had done? (We would not ordinarily think of love when dealing with money matters.  It was the way that the lender handled the situation that brought the men to the point of choosing to love the man.  Luke once again used the word agapao.)
5. Why did he ask Simon what he thought? (Simon also was a sinner and needed to face the issue in his own life.)

Luke 7:43 

It appears that the Pharisee’s answer was given reluctantly.  He hesitated giving a response that might implicate him or make him look bad.  There is another possibility.  He may have understood that Jesus was not only speaking about the woman but him also. When he admitted, the one forgiven more would love more Jesus confirmed his words.

1. Why would the Pharisee be reluctant to answer the question Jesus asked?
2. How would you answer the question if asked?
3. How would his answer make him look bad?
4. Why would Jesus also be speaking to the Pharisee when the subject had been the woman?
5. What did Jesus say to the man to indicate that he had understood the parable?

Luke 7:44-46

Although Jesus turned from Simon and looked at the woman He was in reality still dealing with the sinfulness of both parties.  He spoke once again to Simon in a way that the man would have to see the woman who was there for the first time.  People like her, including Jesus had been neglected and disliked by the Pharisees long enough.  By contrasting the behavior of the so called righteous and the well-known sinner, Jesus let Simon know in no uncertain times that He indeed was the Prophet. 

The actions of both of them while at the home of Simon clearly showed what they felt about Jesus. The common courtesies usually extended to a guest were completely neglected by Simon.  He showed by his lack of civility a complete disrespect for Jesus.  Meanwhile, all of the things he failed to do were done out of love by the woman.

• Simon did not provide water to wash the dust off his feet while the woman washed His feet with her tears and wiped His feet with her hair.
• Simon gave no kiss of greeting. The woman continually kissed His feet.
• Simon did not anoint His head but the woman anointed His feet with perfume.  See Psalm 23.

 

1. Although Jesus looked at the woman to whom was He really speaking?
2. What was Jesus trying to do with Simon?  (Make him see the woman for the first time as a real person.)
3. In what ways had the Pharisee put the woman and Jesus in the same category? (He had no respect for either of them.)
4. How did He bring attention to the real Simon? (His treatment of Jesus in comparison to what the woman did?
5. What did her actions say about her?
6. Which person best represents you? 
7. Why would you say so?

Luke 7:47

There was one more contrast between the two people from totally different worlds.  It had to do with love.  Jesus explained to Simon that the woman who truly was a sinner was forgiven because her over the top display of love for Him.  This also spoke to Simon’s doubt of Jesus’ identity.  He now claimed to have the ability to forgive sins.  That statement would make Him more than a prophet but more importantly the Son of God and the Messiah of the world.

He then stated words that Simon never thought he would hear.  Jesus said to him you are the man in the parable who had little love.  Since you are not capable of loving others, you miss out on forgiveness.  Pride will always preclude one from experiencing the love and forgiveness of God.

1. What was the final contrast between the Pharisee and the woman?
2. What was the reason that Simon missed out on forgiveness?
3. What is one thing that distinguishes people that we know that indicates their devotion to Jesus?
4. How did Jesus know that she had such deep love for Him? (She was radical in her devotion to Him?
5. In what ways can we show a radical love for Christ?
6. By His words what did Jesus claim?
7. In what ways did He actually go beyond what Simon had initially questioned about Him? (By His words Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and the Messiah.)
8. What will call down God’s condemnation on us?

Luke 7:48-50

Having dealt with Simon, Jesus then once again directed His full attention back to the woman. His words are what she had been waiting to hear.  He said to her.

• Your sins have been forgiven.
• Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

In between those two statements the people at the dinner asked the question that was a stumbling block for them.  They knew that mere man could not forgive sins.  They wanted to know how He could claim to do so.  They did not comprehend that He was claiming to be the Messiah.  It is that simple fact that gives people so much trouble today.  To accept the two statements above is all that is needed to know Jesus is the Savior.  Most still have trouble accepting the fact.

Jesus did allow their doubts stop them from providing the woman with the assurance she needed.  To her it made no difference what they had thought of her, she was now free from sin and had been saved.

What does this mean for you?

• Always treat guests the same way you would have wanted to be treated on your first Sunday at church.
• Never jump to conclusions about an individual before finding out about them.
• You must be keenly aware that there who have a deep need for forgiveness and salvation.
• Be sensitive to the needs of others.
• Remember a passionate walk with Christ will open the door to help people along their own journey.
• Always approach each day with a humble spirit knowing you are only a child of God because of His great mercy.

We have many opportunities to meet new people. Our attitude towards them can make all the difference in they respond to Christ.  If we appear to be self-righteous they will quickly see through us and will be turned off to the church.

There are a number of ways to show that we are glad that someone has chosen to honor us with their presence. As soon as they come on the property to have someone greet them will go a long way to making them feel welcome. We can make sure that they are not left to navigate the church by themselves. Getting the children and youth to the right place and actually introducing them to others so they feel at home.  Accompanying them to the worship is another step to be taken.  There are others things we can do that might be discussed.  One last thought we should make sure that no one leaves the building with someone speaking to them.  Even better is to get their name and telephone number so you can contact them during the week. The church sends out information but the personal touch is all important.

To do all of the above is the way that we will attract others and soon find that unbelievers will begin to attend.  We cannot reach the lost if we do not open our doors and hearts to them.