Faith -> Love -> Forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50)
Rev. William L. Barron, January 21, 2018Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
An unnamed woman came to wash Jesus' feet. This was a customary practice of hospitality, including in Old Testament times. Jesus was invited to a meal by Simon, a Pharisee. Pharisees were largely faithful and obedient group. However, their works were done to get to God, not in response to what God has done for them. We don't know if this Pharisee's motives were charitable or in order to seek merit. The woman honoring Jesus was not a righteous woman. Simon was revolted by this and doubted Jesus' prophetic office as a result. Jesus told a story about gratefulness for forgiven debts of different amounts. The woman's debt was large, and she loved much. Her deeds spoke eloquently about her love and gratitude. She had already been forgiven. Our lives should be in grateful response to mercy and grace for forgiveness of sins in Jesus. We have not earned forgiveness. We are spiritually dead before we receive mercy. We do not seek God. God calls us to Himself. Redeemed people show true faith by actions of love. Our faith must reflect the love of God. Is what we do pleasing to God? In addition to loving God, we must love others as well, no matter how unlovely they may be.
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| « How To Waste A Life Away | None | It All Points To Calvary » |
Luke 7:36–50 (Listen)
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he 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, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
(ESV)