A Sinful Woman Forgiven
November 18, 2019
Commentary
Jesus was invited to a meal in a Pharisee’s home (v. 36). Whether this scene takes place at Capernaum, Nain or some other city, we do not know. We do know that this event was a living illustration of the Pharisee’s hypocrisy (v. 39). Luke shows Jesus at the dinner table of Simon the Pharisee. Our Lord did not turn down invitations, even though He knew there was some ulterior motive in inviting Him. Pharisees needed the Word of God just like everyone else.
Outside the door was a woman of the streets who was waiting and watching for a time when the servants’ backs were turned, and she could slip in to sit at Jesus’ feet (vv. 37-38). Her sins are not named, but we get the impression she was an immoral woman with a bad reputation. A woman of this type would not be welcomed in the house of Simon the Pharisee. Simon was no doubt embarrassed both for himself and for his guests.
Simon was thinking that Jesus was not exhibiting much discernment, as a great prophet, if He allowed a sinful woman to anoint His feet. Jesus proved that He was indeed a prophet by reading Simon’s thought and revealing his needs. He shares a parable that states that it is not the amount of sin in a person’s heart but that any sin makes a person spiritually bankrupt. Simon was guilty of the sins of the spirit, especially pride, while the woman was guilty of the sins of the flesh. The woman repented of her sins and put her faith in Christ while the Pharisee refused. The Pharisees believed that only God could forgive sin, so they wondered why this man Jesus was saying that the woman’s sins were forgiven (vv. 43-50). They did not grasp the fact that Jesus was indeed God.
Application
When it comes to risking my reputation for a “questionable” character, what will I do?
Luke 7:36– 50 (NET)
36 Now one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 So Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him 500 silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then, 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 of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Illustration: William Booth How to Handle Criticism
During the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by religious leaders and government leaders alike. Whenever his son, Bramwell, showed Booth a newspaper attack, the General would reply, “Bramwell, fifty years hence it will matter very little indeed how these people treated us; it will matter a great deal how we dealt with the work of God.” (The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 185).