Jesus Goes to Dinner
Luke 7:36-50
36 Now one of the
Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's
house and reclined at the table.
The Pharisees were the leaders who governed everything
related to the religious life of
37 And there was a
woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining
at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
This was a woman who was well-known for her sin. Or to but it bluntly, she was a woman OF the city, not a woman IN the city, if you know what I mean. Her uncovered hair (verse 38) was considered shameful, and indicative of a prostitute. She decides to go see Jesus at Simon’s house. This was not unusual in the ancient world; when you had someone important for dinner, you would leave the door open, and people could come in and listen. Of course, it was unusual for a prostitute to come in! She brings in her ALABASTROS filled with MURON. This was like a bud vase filled with very (a year’s earnings) expensive aromatic oil. It had a long fragile neck, and a sealed top. When you got ready to use it, you had to break the neck of the bottle. It could only be used once.
38 and standing (actually HISTEMI means setting up) behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
What is she doing? She’s weeping, wiping, kissing, and anointing. She’s WORSHIPPING Jesus! She has already been forgiven her sins prior to the dinner party, and now she is worshipping in response to that forgiveness He has given her.
39 Now when the
Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man
were a prophet (and the Greek second
class conditional means, and He’s not) He
would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that
she is a sinner."
The woman is worshipping, and Simon is judging! That’s what religious people love to do! Here’s the scary part – notice Simon says this TO HIMSELF. And what does Jesus do? He ANSWERS! Be careful – you cannot hide anything from the Lord! He knows what you are thinking! He knew what Simon was thinking, and still deals with him graciously:
40 And Jesus answered
him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied,
"Say it, Teacher."
41 "A moneylender
had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42
"When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon answered and
said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him,
"You have judged correctly." (this time anyway!)
Now Jesus turns His back on Simon:
44 Turning toward 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 has wet My feet
with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not
ceased to kiss My feet.
46 "You did not
anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with
perfume.
All of those things were customary for you to do when you had a guest come for dinner. Simon had not even been a good host, and the woman had done so much!
47 "For this
reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she
loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48 Then He said to
her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to
themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
50 And He said to the
woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
This woman recognized her sin, and was overwhelmed with appreciation and worship for Jesus. Simon was occupied with others sins, and never understood! Which way do you want to be?
The complete and total forgiveness that Jesus Christ provides should motivate you to worship Him.