Seeing Forgiveness

Seeing Forgiveness Seeing Forgiveness Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Love; Devotion; Sacrifice; Self-righteousness; Forgiveness / Luke 7:36-50 Introduction 1. Stepping back from thinking about CrossFit - working out - we are going to still think about cross fit as far as fit for the cross. 2. Luke brings us to another dinner that Jesus attends. a. We are brought before the subject of a great theme related to the cross - Forgiveness b. With this subject comes many thoughts and questions i. What is forgiveness ii. Who can get/or needs forgiveness iii. How do you receive forgiveness 3. To navigate this event in Luke's gospel I want us to take a look at forgiveness from several points of view so we can answer these questions and thoughts that we might have. Lets read along and then we can look at the different points of view that we might see forgiveness for ourselves. › SLIDE Luke 7:36-37 CSB 36 Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume › SLIDE Luke 7:38-39 CSB 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-she's a sinner!" › SLIDE Luke 7:40-43 CSB 40 Jesus replied to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He said, "Say it, teacher." 41 "A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one he forgave more." "You have judged correctly," he told him. › SLIDE Luke 7:44-45 CSB 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since I came in. › SLIDE Luke 7:46-48 CSB 46 You didn't anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that's why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." › SLIDE Luke 7:49-50 CSB 49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." › SLIDE What The Sinner Sees › SLIDE Luke 7:36-38 CSB 36 Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume. 1. Their desperate need for a Savior a. We dont know much about this woman - but we know that she has a reputation of sinfulness i. I do not believe (as some do) that this Mary Magdalene for she will be mentioned in Chapter 8 and it seems off Luke wouldnt mention her name here. ii. I do not believe this is Mary of Bethany either (The other gospels all have a similar story of Jesus being lavished) Mary of Bethany was Lazarus's sister and the daughter of Simon the Leper not Simon the Pharisee iii. This woman is known only here as a sinner but not in the same way as all people are sinners - she had a notoriety to her sin. b. She found out Jesus was at the house and she had to be there i. Jesus was the friend of sinners and she had to be there - even if it was at a Pharisee's house 1. Pharisees were the scorner of sinners ii. Interestingly enough she was not invited but allowed in anyway according to the custom of the time 1. When a Rabbi was a guest at a feast - the door would be left open so that any who wished could come and glean the wisdom that would be shared. 2. Their Savior is Worthy a. Worthy of the personal cost i. It was a bold thing for a woman of sinful reputation to come to the house of a pharisee - usually it would mean some sort of mistreatment or scorn › SLIDE Willing to endure anything to express love for Jesus ii. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 1. It had no handles and furnished a long neck which would be broken off when the contents were needed a. It was definitely costly - usually the dowry - if the perfume was nard - it would have been worth 300 denarii - a years salary b. Usually hung around the neck and so much considered a part of them they were allowed to wear it on the Sabbath. 2. She brought this to Jesus at great cost to herself b. This woman saw Jesus as worthy of honor and love i. Her actions next display great sacrifice, humble service and deep devotion 1. She stood behind Him as He reclined, standing at His feet a. The Jewish culture was different from the Persians and other cultures that sat at tables and chairs to feast (much like we do today) b. They reclined - the table would be 3-6 inches off the ground in an oval or U shape with mats or couches laid around them so that the guests would lean on their left arm with their feet stretched outward c. Where she stood represented not a place of prominence or honor, but instead of humility and service i. In those days the roads were nothing more than dusty trails and their footwear was little more than a sole strapped to their foot - it was open and allowed for dust, mud and muck to accumulate on the feet ii. Where she stood was the dirtiest and least desirable place 2. She then began to weep a. A harmony of the Gospels attempts to put the Gospel stories in order (at least for the Synoptic Gospels Matt, Mark and Luke) i. Right before this recorded dinner party - Jesus had just issued the invitation for all to come to Him › SLIDE Matthew 11:28-30 CSB 28 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ii. That she a sinner would be invited to come to Jesus - that He would offer such things 1. Pharisees and other Rabbis only offered judgment and scorn 2. Jesus offered rest - so she came to Jesus physically and spiritually b. Broken over the weight of her sin - being lightened as she received the yoke of Jesus 3. Her Tears began to run on Jesus feet a. Guests removed their sandals when reclining - the feet were the dirtiest and most detestable part of the body i. She kissed them over and over again b. Her tears ran across - making a mess and she let down her hair to wipe and clean His feet i. Considered a social no no to let your hair down in public - in fact it was considered grounds for divorce ii. A shameful and embarrassment - but it was worth it to her because Jesus was worth it 4. Finally She anointed His feet with her expensive oil a. Such act of worship and devotion revealed that she knew there was nothing to good too costly for Jesus b. Her service to Jesus was personal. She did it all herself and all to Him › SLIDE What The Self-Righteous Sees › SLIDE Luke 7:39 CSB 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-she's a sinner!" 1. Disgraceful Sinner Look at what it says in verse 39 - When the Pharisee who invited Him saw this a. The Pharisee saw this and was offended by it i. He had invited Jesus to dinner at his house and instead of the people talking about that to him - they will be talking about what this woman had done ii. Why did she have to come anyway - doesnt she know we dont like her? 1. As a Pharisee - Simon lived a separate life - in fact that is what Pharisee meant - set apart 2. Pharisees loved to keep this in mind - they were set apart, they thought that meant they were set better and closer to God b. Being Set apart Simon and his Pharisee friends would tighten their robes as they walked around lest they should swish and touch a dirty sinner and defile them i. If it should happen they would go and ceremonially wash themselves before going to the temple ii. This woman a horrid sinner to him wasnt worthy to be doing the lowly servants job of washing feet 2. Unworthy Savior a. Certainly a prophet would know what kind of woman this is and wouldnt be allowing this to go on i. Perhaps he wasnt a prophet at all - I mean if he doesnt know what woman this is or if he is a prophet and is ok with this well then he is unworthy for that as well b. Simon decided that Jesus was no prophet and his message was not needed - whatever he was Simon was better and didnt need him and his love for sinners › SLIDE What Jesus Sees › SLIDE Luke 7:40-43 CSB 40 Jesus replied to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He said, "Say it, teacher." 41 "A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one he forgave more." "You have judged correctly," he told him. › SLIDE Luke 7:44-45 CSB 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since I came in. › SLIDE Luke 7:46-48 CSB 46 You didn't anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that's why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 1. The thoughts and hearts of men a. Notice in verse 39 - when the Pharisee saw this he said to himself - HIMSELF i. Jesus replied to him and said Simon - I have something to say to you 1. Simon doubted Jesus as a prophet because he couldnt see this woman and who she was, but Jesus is showing Simon that he sees all and knows even those thoughts which no one else knows 2. But look how gentle Jesus is - Simon I have something to say a. We would - especially myself - all do well to remember and practice the truth displayed here › SLIDE Proverbs 15:1 CSB 1 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. b. Jesus chooses to give a gentle response - this is one of the most gentle responses I can think of that Jesus gives to a pompous pharisee (not all pharisees were this way) ii. Jesus requested to have an audience with Simon to speak truth 1. Simon gives the permission 2. Many times we might get further in sharing truth with people if we simply learned to allow them to let us speak truth to them b. Jesus gives Simon a parable i. A story about a creditor and two debtors 1. One debtor owed 500 denarii 2. One debtor owed 50 denarii a. These were huge debts - a denarii was a day's wages b. So we are talking a year and a half's wages and two months wages ii. The debts were unpayable - the creditor chose to forgive them instead - he forgave them both of the total sums 1. Jesus asks Simon to answer which one will love him (the creditor) more? 2. Simon answers logically - the one who he forgave more a. Jesus says you have judged correctly b. Then turns to the woman and says do you see this woman 2. The Self-righteous a. Simon you failed to show me even common courtesy and honor as a guest in your house i. It was customary in those times for the host of parties to make sure the guests were well treated 1. Being known as hospitable - to a fault and even to your enemies - was to be popular 2. To be known as one who had 0 hospitality was a social faux paux - social suicide no one would dare go to the house where you werent treated well ii. Three things were customary to do for your guests 1. Water for the visitors feet a. Usually a servant would wash the feet at a wealthy persons house (a Pharisee was the upper eschelon of society) b. At the very least a pitcher with water to pour over the feet 2. Greet with the kiss of peace a. It was a sign of safety and peace while in the house 3. Oil for the head a. Olive oil would be anointed on the guests head to give a pleasant fragrance and refreshing for your guests b. Your little love for me should tell you about your level of forgiveness i. All three of these were common love shown for people - Simon did none of them for Jesus 1. He wasnt concerned with being hospitable 2. Perhaps it was an invite to find a way to trap Jesus or maybe other motives - either way Simon did not see Jesus as worthy of such hospitality ii. Look as verse 47 the end - the one who is forgiven little loves little 3. The Repentant a. This woman - did all that you failed to do for me - happily freely and with much trouble and sacrifice i. I like how Jesus responds to Simon's - he would know and what kind of woman this is - by saying do you see this woman? 1. You judged her as despicable, unworthy, lowly, unforgivable and unredeemable 2. She did all that you failed to do for me ii. Jesus was saying that Simon saw her for what she had been before - and Jesus sees her for how she was now 1. A humble sinner seeking forgiveness and just lavishing Jesus with love 2. She washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair 3. She kissed his feet without pause or hesitation 4. She anointed him not with oil but with perfume b. Because of this I tell you her many sins have been forgiven i. What she was has been forgiven › SLIDE What We All Need to See › SLIDE Luke 7:49-50 CSB 49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." 1. We all need forgiveness a. The parable Jesus told should also remind us that are all debtors before God i. whether our debts are large or small - we cannot repay them ii. We need our debts forgiven also 2. The One who can forgive all sin a. The people are astonished as they hear Jesus proclaim this womans sins remain forgiven b. Who is this who forgives sin - they ask because they know that is only something that God can do and no good Rabbi would make that claim › SLIDE Luke 5:21 CSB 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think to themselves: "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" › SLIDE - Jesus has already shown he has authority to forgive sins Luke 5:24-25 CSB 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he told the paralyzed man, "I tell you: Get up, take your stretcher, and go home." 25 Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 3. Forgiveness is by faith a. How did this woman receive forgiveness? i. We all need forgiveness - we all have a debt we cannot pay - so if Jesus forgives - how did this woman receive the forgiveness? ii. Some would read this section of scripture and wrongly surmise that this woman loved Jesus and earned forgiveness - but what does Jesus say in verse 50 › SLIDE Christian Standard Bible Chapter 7 "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." b. This woman was saved by faith in Jesus - not by works done for Jesus and not for her love for Jesus. i. She loved because she was forgiven ii. Her faith caused her to respond in love c. Forgiveness is readily available to all there is no hesitation or shortage Conclusion Consider this - the love we have for Jesus is directly proportionate to the forgiveness we have God's forgiveness is not automatic - we can reject His grace In 1830 a man named George Wilson was arrested for mail theft, the penalty for which was hanging. After a time President Andrew Jackson gave Wilson a pardon but he refused to accept it! The authorities were puzzled - should Wilson be freed or hanged? Chief Justice John Marshall was consulted and he handed down this decision - "A pardon is a slip of paper, the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged. If you have never accepted God's pardon - now is the time to - today is the day of salvation Simon looked out and said she is a sinner - if he would have just looked inward and said I am a sinner he would have seen both his need for forgiveness and the Savior who would forgive. It is only sinners who answer the call for faith - Self-righteous dont see their need Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:24 PM March 21, 2020.