Luke 7:36-50
This is another amazing story of God’s mercy
It’s a story of God’s love and forgiveness of sin. The theme of forgiveness is huge in the scriptures. It’s at the core of the gospel...the essence of the Christian faith and yet forgiveness is one of the most widely misunderstood doctrines of scripture.
Sometimes divine forgiveness is confused with human forgiveness which merely involves an apology.
Divine forgiveness, on the other hand, is one of the most complicated undertakings, demanding complete satisfaction to meet the conditions of God’s outraged holiness.
Just think about it; The Bible consists of 66 in-depth books. It takes 66 books and more than 4000 years and counting to deal with the issue of sin and to reveal God’s plan for reconciliation.
The book of Genesis is the first one. It means beginnings- many beginnings – the beginning of the universe, the beginning of man and woman, the beginning of human sin, the beginning of God’s plan for forgiveness of sin and the beginning of a special relationship between God and Abraham. There are four other books, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The first five books of the Bible are called the Torah which means Law. The law set forth God’s standard of acceptable moral and ethical behaviour. The Torah is where you will find the 10 commandments. I will not assume that everyone is familiar with the 10 commandments. I will give them to you.
The 10 Commandments are found in Exodus, Chapter 20.
They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt:
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder.'
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour's.'
Christ's Summation in the New Testament
About 1,400 years later, the 10 Commandments were summed up in the New Testament at Matthew 22, when Jesus was confronted by the religious "experts" of the day:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).
A reflective reading of Christ's teaching reveals that the first four commandments given to the children of Israel are contained in the statement: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." It continues that the last six commandments are enclosed in the statement: "Love your neighbour as yourself."
Now turn in your Bibles to Matthew 19:16-22 to hear a dialogue between a Rich Young Ruler and Jesus. The Rich Ruler asked Jesus a vital question.
The scripture says “Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'
Note Jesus’ response: “If you want to enter life.” He didn’t answered by saying if you want “eternal life” – The rich man is concern about the hereafter. The 10 commandments is about the here and now...it’s all about character and the quality of life you live here on earth. The Rich Young Ruler is looking for affirmation not transformation. He’s looking for assurance not change. Jesus impressed upon him that if you want eternal life then you must change the way you are living here and now.
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The Rich Young Ruler was convinced he had lived in obedience to the 10 commandment and had considered himself good, “all these I have kept,” he said and we since from this exchange that there’s a nagging feeling in his heart that something wasn’t quite right. He’s in doubt. He’s not 100 % sure.
When tested to see if he really had kept the 10 commandments it became obvious that he’s a failure. Selfish greed and personal gain corrupted love for God and responsibility for the poor.
“There is only One good,’ and it’s certainly not this man. He walked away sad – He walked away condemned. Was he condemned by Jesus? No! The Law condemned him. John 3: 17, “For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Romans 3:20 says,“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by the observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
Through the law we become conscious of the need for forgiveness and the remission of sin.
The law says ‘There is no righteous, not even one...” Everyone stands guilty...the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Priest...everyone stands condemned by the Law. Scriptures says righteousness is a gift, it is not merited! `
Romans 3:22, ``this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
The Rich Young Ruler didn`t get it. He needed repentance and forgiveness and yet he walked away from Jesus. Now he is twice condemned! John 3: 18, Whoever believes (receives) in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil.”
The Rich Ruler stood face to face with the righteousness of God. He looked into the eyes of God’s son who was ready to offer pardon for transgression but he just didn’t get it; his vision was blurred by greed and great gain. The gospel message makes no since to those who think they’re good enough...who think they are OK just the way they are.
It makes no since to the moralist...the self-righteous...those that trust in riches, political or economic gain. It makes no since to the self-righteous and religious person who trust in rituals, ceremonies, and liturgy as the way.
There were others in Israel who just didn’t get it. It was mostly the religious; the Pharisees and the Sadducees. But thank God sinners got it! Simon the Pharisee didn`t get it but a woman who lived a sinful life did.
Turn to Luke 7: 36-50 and let us listen to a dinner conversation.
Simon was thinking to himself: “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” (V.39)
It appears that Simon had no concept of God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness was not included in his theology. Jesus message was radical. His whole mission was based on forgiveness. It says in verse 37 “a woman who had lived a sinful life.” It’s written in the past tense. She lived (pass tense) a sinful life which means she no longer did. Something happened and something changed; she’s no longer an immoral woman. What happened? She met Jesus and now she’s forgiven! She found God.
Simon is struggling with all of this...he’s refusing to accept her new status. “She’s a sinner...a harlot out of the red light district...the other side of town...the brothel and nothing can change that! Well, Jesus did change that!
Why is Simon struggling with it? I will tell you why. Jesus had just erased a boundary line that existed for centuries...the boundary line between the “righteous” and “sinners”.
Jesus is asking Simon, “Are you saying you are not a sinner? Are you saying you have no sin Simon?” Are you saying you have no need forgiveness? I have something to tell you. You are a sinner! And you do need forgiveness and you need it as much as this woman needed it.
The difference between you and this woman is quantitative...it’s the amount...the number of sins committed. Simon’s sins amount to 50 and the woman’s sin amount to 500. “Simon, you are a sinner too.” Sin is sin; small sins, big sins, few sins or many sins? Whether 50 sins or 500 sins they all require forgiveness.
Hey wait a minute Jesus! Simon says, “I don’t get it...you’re putting me in the same category as this woman?” “Yes I am”, says Jesus, the only difference is she in the big league and you’re in the small league. His strength is morals but his weakness is pride. Everyone, those with covert sins of the spirit as well as those with overt sins of the flesh, stands in need of forgiveness.
The overt sinner who received forgiveness and covert sinner did not. It’s easy to speak about the sins of others but why is it next to impossible to speak about one’s own?
Simon’s sin is the hidden kind, covert sins of the spirit...hidden, until now. The woman’s sin is the open kind, overt sins of the flesh...unhidden but forgiven.
Turn in your Bibles to John 8: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now what do you say? But Jesus bent down to write with his finger.
(What did he write? He wrote Dt. 17:7 “The hands of the witness must be the first in putting her to death, and then the hands of all the people.”)
Jesus knew it takes two to tangle...He knew there was a second adulterous person somewhere hiding among the crowd. One or more of those accusers was as guilty as the accused.
Paul was a Pharisee in his time and he knew all about the hypocrisy among the religious leaders. He wrote these words in Romans 2: 21-23 which says “you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preached against stealing, do you steal. You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?”
Yes, there’s an adulterous witness somewhere among the accusers.
When they kept on questioning Jesus, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.” Again he stood down and wrote on the ground. All those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her,
‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ‘No one sir, she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke believes the Holy Spirit came and settled down on all the accusers that day and suddenly they received a vision of the 10 commandments and they heard a voice saying: The 1st Commandment “GUILTY!” 2ndCommandment, “GUILTY!”
L et’s return to Simon’s house and listen some more to what Jesus has to say.
Now look at the woman. Why did she come to Simon’s house, to see Simon? Hardly not! She went into Simon’s house against all her own prejudices, the old prejudices...if you like, the scorn in heart for the cold moralist. She knew perfectly well with what scorn that sort of man would look on her, but she was blinded to everything. Jesus was in the house, and into the house she went. The scripture is clear that she had received forgiveness of sin. But Simon could not see that. He could only see her for what she was. Simon needed help in seeing who she is not who she was. Jesus showed him came way of comparison...by way of contrast not on the level of morality but on the level of social hospitality.
Simon’s invitation was not cordial, but rude. Jesus pointed out to Simon that when He entered his house, he neglected the common courtesies of an Eastern home. In an Eastern home the first thing on the arrival of the guest is the bringing of water to wash the feet; the first mark of welcome and salutation is kiss upon the cheek; and the guest is offered oil for his head. Simon did none of these things.
He said, “Now look at this woman. Let me help you to see her. I came and you were rude to me. You brought me not water she bathed me with her tears. You refused me the kiss of welcome. She smothered my feet with kisses. You did not bring oil. She brought me ointment.
Simon, you said, If I were a prophet I could see her. Can you see her, Simon? I have put you side by side with her, and by comparison you are as coarse as sandpaper and she as fine as silk.
There are members of the Christian church today who look at that woman as she use to be, and never see her as Christ made her. Are we giving Him a cordial or a rude reception? Our Lord notices neglect and He values adoration.
The NEB reading is to the point: “And so, I tell you, her great love proves that her many sins have been forgiven; where little has been forgiven, little is shown.” Why is the woman known to be forgiven? The answer is that her display of affection is evidence of it. She loved much.
Because God hates sin, the price for forgiveness is high. Scripture gives the following requirements for forgiveness:
The Results of Forgiveness
The Bible promises the following benefits of God's forgiveness:
It’s a story of God’s love and forgiveness of sin. The theme of forgiveness is huge in the scriptures. It’s at the core of the gospel...the essence of the Christian faith and yet forgiveness is one of the most widely misunderstood doctrines of scripture.
Sometimes divine forgiveness is confused with human forgiveness which merely involves an apology.
Just think about it; The Bible consists of 66 in-depth books. It takes 66 books and more than 4000 years and counting to deal with the issue of sin and to reveal God’s plan for reconciliation.
The book of Genesis is the first one. It means beginnings- many beginnings – the beginning of the universe, the beginning of man and woman, the beginning of human sin, the beginning of God’s plan for forgiveness of sin and the beginning of a special relationship between God and Abraham. There are four other books, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The first five books of the Bible are called the Torah which means Law. The law set forth God’s standard of acceptable moral and ethical behaviour. The Torah is where you will find the 10 commandments. I will not assume that everyone is familiar with the 10 commandments. I will give them to you.
The 10 Commandments are found in Exodus, Chapter 20.
They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt:
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder.'
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour's.'
Christ's Summation in the New Testament
About 1,400 years later, the 10 Commandments were summed up in the New Testament at Matthew 22, when Jesus was confronted by the religious "experts" of the day:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).
A reflective reading of Christ's teaching reveals that the first four commandments given to the children of Israel are contained in the statement: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." It continues that the last six commandments are enclosed in the statement: "Love your neighbour as yourself."
Now turn in your Bibles to Matthew 19:16-22 to hear a dialogue between a Rich Young Ruler and Jesus. The Rich Ruler asked Jesus a vital question.
The scripture says “Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'
Note Jesus’ response: “If you want to enter life.” He didn’t answered by saying if you want “eternal life” – The rich man is concern about the hereafter. The 10 commandments is about the here and now...it’s all about character and the quality of life you live here on earth. The Rich Young Ruler is looking for affirmation not transformation. He’s looking for assurance not change. Jesus impressed upon him that if you want eternal life then you must change the way you are living here and now.
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The Rich Young Ruler was convinced he had lived in obedience to the 10 commandment and had considered himself good, “all these I have kept,” he said and we since from this exchange that there’s a nagging feeling in his heart that something wasn’t quite right. He’s in doubt. He’s not 100 % sure.
When tested to see if he really had kept the 10 commandments it became obvious that he’s a failure. Selfish greed and personal gain corrupted love for God and responsibility for the poor.
“There is only One good,’ and it’s certainly not this man. He walked away sad – He walked away condemned. Was he condemned by Jesus? No! The Law condemned him. John 3: 17, “For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Romans 3:20 says,“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by the observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
Through the law we become conscious of the need for forgiveness and the remission of sin.
The law says ‘There is no righteous, not even one...” Everyone stands guilty...the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Priest...everyone stands condemned by the Law. Scriptures says righteousness is a gift, it is not merited! `
Romans 3:22, ``this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
The Rich Young Ruler didn`t get it. He needed repentance and forgiveness and yet he walked away from Jesus. Now he is twice condemned! John 3: 18, Whoever believes (receives) in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil.”
The Rich Ruler stood face to face with the righteousness of God. He looked into the eyes of God’s son who was ready to offer pardon for transgression but he just didn’t get it; his vision was blurred by greed and great gain. The gospel message makes no since to those who think they’re good enough...who think they are OK just the way they are.
It makes no since to the moralist...the self-righteous...those that trust in riches, political or economic gain. It makes no since to the self-righteous and religious person who trust in rituals, ceremonies, and liturgy as the way.
There were others in Israel who just didn’t get it. It was mostly the religious; the Pharisees and the Sadducees. But thank God sinners got it! Simon the Pharisee didn`t get it but a woman who lived a sinful life did.
Turn to Luke 7: 36-50 and let us listen to a dinner conversation.
Simon was thinking to himself: “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” (V.39)
It appears that Simon had no concept of God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness was not included in his theology. Jesus message was radical. His whole mission was based on forgiveness. It says in verse 37 “a woman who had lived a sinful life.” It’s written in the past tense. She lived (pass tense) a sinful life which means she no longer did. Something happened and something changed; she’s no longer an immoral woman. What happened? She met Jesus and now she’s forgiven! She found God.
Simon is struggling with all of this...he’s refusing to accept her new status. “She’s a sinner...a harlot out of the red light district...the other side of town...the brothel and nothing can change that! Well, Jesus did change that!
Why is Simon struggling with it? I will tell you why. Jesus had just erased a boundary line that existed for centuries...the boundary line between the “righteous” and “sinners”.
Jesus is asking Simon, “Are you saying you are not a sinner? Are you saying you have no sin Simon?” Are you saying you have no need forgiveness? I have something to tell you. You are a sinner! And you do need forgiveness and you need it as much as this woman needed it.
The difference between you and this woman is quantitative...it’s the amount...the number of sins committed. Simon’s sins amount to 50 and the woman’s sin amount to 500. “Simon, you are a sinner too.” Sin is sin; small sins, big sins, few sins or many sins? Whether 50 sins or 500 sins they all require forgiveness.
Hey wait a minute Jesus! Simon says, “I don’t get it...you’re putting me in the same category as this woman?” “Yes I am”, says Jesus, the only difference is she in the big league and you’re in the small league. His strength is morals but his weakness is pride. Everyone, those with covert sins of the spirit as well as those with overt sins of the flesh, stands in need of forgiveness.
The overt sinner who received forgiveness and covert sinner did not. It’s easy to speak about the sins of others but why is it next to impossible to speak about one’s own?
Simon’s sin is the hidden kind, covert sins of the spirit...hidden, until now. The woman’s sin is the open kind, overt sins of the flesh...unhidden but forgiven.
Turn in your Bibles to John 8: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now what do you say? But Jesus bent down to write with his finger.
(What did he write? He wrote Dt. 17:7 “The hands of the witness must be the first in putting her to death, and then the hands of all the people.”)
Jesus knew it takes two to tangle...He knew there was a second adulterous person somewhere hiding among the crowd. One or more of those accusers was as guilty as the accused.
Paul was a Pharisee in his time and he knew all about the hypocrisy among the religious leaders. He wrote these words in Romans 2: 21-23 which says “you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preached against stealing, do you steal. You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?”
Yes, there’s an adulterous witness somewhere among the accusers.
When they kept on questioning Jesus, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.” Again he stood down and wrote on the ground. All those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her,
‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ‘No one sir, she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke believes the Holy Spirit came and settled down on all the accusers that day and suddenly they received a vision of the 10 commandments and they heard a voice saying: The 1st Commandment “GUILTY!” 2ndCommandment, “GUILTY!”
Now look at the woman. Why did she come to Simon’s house, to see Simon? Hardly not! She went into Simon’s house against all her own prejudices, the old prejudices...if you like, the scorn in heart for the cold moralist. She knew perfectly well with what scorn that sort of man would look on her, but she was blinded to everything. Jesus was in the house, and into the house she went. The scripture is clear that she had received forgiveness of sin. But Simon could not see that. He could only see her for what she was. Simon needed help in seeing who she is not who she was. Jesus showed him came way of comparison...by way of contrast not on the level of morality but on the level of social hospitality.
Simon’s invitation was not cordial, but rude. Jesus pointed out to Simon that when He entered his house, he neglected the common courtesies of an Eastern home. In an Eastern home the first thing on the arrival of the guest is the bringing of water to wash the feet; the first mark of welcome and salutation is kiss upon the cheek; and the guest is offered oil for his head. Simon did none of these things.
He said, “Now look at this woman. Let me help you to see her. I came and you were rude to me. You brought me not water she bathed me with her tears. You refused me the kiss of welcome. She smothered my feet with kisses. You did not bring oil. She brought me ointment.
Simon, you said, If I were a prophet I could see her. Can you see her, Simon? I have put you side by side with her, and by comparison you are as coarse as sandpaper and she as fine as silk.
There are members of the Christian church today who look at that woman as she use to be, and never see her as Christ made her. Are we giving Him a cordial or a rude reception? Our Lord notices neglect and He values adoration.
The Requirements for Forgiveness
Because God hates sin, the price for forgiveness is high. Scripture gives the following requirements for forgiveness:- Sacrifice. Hebrews 9:22 says that "without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness." In the Old Testament, a sacrifice of an unblemished lamb was required to satisfy God's wrath. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross and became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Jesus bought our forgiveness when he died on the cross.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18a)
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
- Confession of sin. We must admit our sins to God if our relationship with Him is to be restored completely. Looking back at the real need for forgiveness, we see that unconfessed sin can separate us in our relationship with God. Confession is the way to restore that relationship with the Lord, remembering that it is for our own benefit that we confess to return to the Lord because He is faithful even when we are not (2 Timothy 2:13).
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
- Repentance. We must decide to change, to turn from our sins.
"Therefore this is what the Lord says, 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.'" (Jeremiah 15:19a)
The Results of Forgiveness
The Bible promises the following benefits of God's forgiveness:
- Happiness. When we know God's forgiveness, we are blessed (happy).
"Blessed (happy) is he whose transgressions are forgiven, who sins are covered. Blessed (happy) is the man whose sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." (Psalm 32:1,2)
- God chooses not to hold our sins against us. Another result of forgiveness is that God doesn't keep a record of our sins, He does not hold them against us. Because the blood of Christ covered our sins, God chooses to put them out of His mind.
"I, even I, am he who blotsout your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)
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