Jesus is invited by a Pharisee
Luke 7:36-50
Invitations, Part 5
Introduction
- On the heels of our Advent study, we continue with our Invitations series
- It is important that you and I understand the power of an invitation
-- Whether it’s an invitation to a ballgame, to a BBQ, or even to church
-- Everything we do starts with an invitation to be a part of something else
- Inviting someone to be a part of what you’re doing says several things to them:
1) What you have going on is important
2) What you are a part of is enjoyable to you, and,
3) What you do is worth their time to check out (at least once)
- Contrast: If we won’t invite others, what does that say about what we do?
- Let’s start with a short video that demonstrates this …
http://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/church-invite-5492-detail.asp
∆ Video for Sermon Series
- Inviting someone really doesn’t have to be hard, or even complicated
-- But for them, what you invite them too can forever change their lives
- Read Luke 7:36-50
- In our passage we see several different storylines going on:
1) Jesus has been invited to a dinner party
2) A woman has come to see Jesus at this party
3) Jesus teaches a parable about forgiveness and grace, and,
4) A Pharisee’s dinner party gets shook up because God showed up
- Let’s examine this story closer to see a wonderful invitation presented to us
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – A woman comes to see Jesus at dinner
- While attending a dinner party, a well-known woman comes to see Jesus
- We know that she is well known just by the context of the narrative about her
-- In v37 we see that the town obviously knew she lived a sinful life
- The Greek word choice points to the word “unchastity”
-- Literally, she led a sinful life of sexual suggestiveness, transgression, or excess
- Additionally, she was known as a hamartōlos (one who commits sin)
-- RE: The word for sin is hamartia, archery, which means “to miss the mark”
- But, knowing her own life, she has come to a place where she wants to change
-- APP: When we come face to face with Christ, we are presented with the same
-- IMP: Will we repent of our sin, or continue to willfully disobey God?
- Her knowledge of herself leads to weeping, uncontrollable sorrow about herself
-- Why? She knew herself - and here before her is God’s son, her redeemer
-- Now, she may not have “known” Jesus … but her spirit certainly knew it
-- John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them”
-- APP: She was moved to come to Jesus; b/c He has everything that she needs
- In her condition, she brings with her a fortune in offerings (penitent heart)
-- APP: Sometimes when we don’t know what to do … we want to give as well
-- IMP: As she stood weeping (v38), her reaction was one of worship
- As she does this, the Pharisee makes a rude comment (v39)
-- “If Jesus was so smart, he would know what kind of filth this woman is”
- Can’t you just hear the condemnation and disgust in the words?
-- NOTE: This woman doesn’t need to know how bad she is; she already knows
-- She doesn’t need this man’s ridicule to confirm her life’s choices
-- But in her sin and shame, she has been drawn to the One who can heal her
- But Jesus addresses this situation with a parable for all to hear
-- Some may think this would be a bit aloof, but there is a lesson for the room
- TRANS: Let’s see what the parable displays for us
∆ Point 2 – A parable of forgiveness
- Re-read v40-43
- Jesus identifies the Pharisee, his name is Simon
-- Note: He is not talking to the Disciple Simon (aka Peter); but the Pharisee
-- If so, that would have been rude, which the Pharisee’s would’ve pounced on
-- “Oh, I see, say something He doesn’t like and He won’t even answer …”
- “Simon … let me ask you something.” “Go ahead, teacher.” (KJV: “Master”)
-- Considering the Pharisee’s position, Jesus begins to tell a story of two debtors
- The debts are both within human range and probably would be common
-- One owes 500 denarii (about a day’s wage) and the other owes just 50 denarii
-- Each of these people cannot pay what they owe to their debtor (v41)
-- Jesus then says, “… since they cannot repay, both the debts are forgiven”
-- So, tell me, which one would be more grateful to have their debt paid?
- The Pharisee, knowing the value of money, answers truthfully from his heart
-- “Obviously, the one with the larger debt would be more grateful for”
-- Jesus tells him that he has judged correctly (His judging is from our standard)
- IMP: Now, he’s on the hook … do not miss what is about to happen
- TRANS: So Jesus says, “… about this woman here …”
∆ Point 3 – How do you come to Jesus?
- Jesus then takes the Pharisee and his self-righteous attitude to work
- First, I came into your house and you didn’t even bother to offer me water (v44)
-- RE: Dusty roads/pathways, it was customary to be offer water for foot washing
-- But no, this invitation was basically a chance to try to test/trick Jesus
-- It was a chance to examine him for himself; to see what he could learn
- Also, he calls him teacher (sign of respect), but here the true motive is revealed
-- It would even be an honor for a carpenter to be invited in, but it’s a farce
-- If he was really honored to have Jesus over, there would be a different approach
-- APP: This woman is washing my feet with her tears (bowing down before Him)
- Second, you don’t even greet me with a kiss of friendship (v45)
-- It’s a customary mark of respect to one who claimed the character of a Rabbi
-- It’s a sign of welcome, today’s handshake and holding open the door …
-- APP: This woman will not stop kissing my feet (reverence, submission)
- Third, you didn’t even bother to anoint my head with oil (v46)
-- Consider traveling from place to place under the hot sun of the day
-- It was customary to perhaps make someone feel fresh by giving them oil
-- This fragrance would’ve masked the “smell of the journey”
- It would be a sign that Jesus was made welcome as an honored guest
-- A sign that Jesus was truly valued in this man’s home: that he was anointed
-- APP: This woman has anointed my feet with oil (position of honor; worship)
- Therefore (v47), due to her heart condition and her actions, she is forgiven
-- But why? Is this all about water and kisses and perfume for your guests? No!
-- HUGE: It is about how we come to Christ … Are we in submission to Him?
- Her sins, fully before her, have brought her before her God in submission
-- Because of who Jesus is, she has come to the One who can truly cleanse her
-- Many may suggest that she comes to Him hoping for “ceremonial” absolution
-- But I don’t see that – I see a woman in great need of love, of grace from God
- She has come to Him with her faith, that He is who He says He is (Re: John 6:44)
-- And because of her life’s path, she comes to a place of repentance before Him
-- She weeps (forgiveness), she anoints (honors her Lord), she kisses (submission)
- Her sins are forgiven because she has come asking, because He is the Christ
-- And He has absolved her (v48), because only He has the power to do so
-- IMP: When Christ forgives, the doubt of being forgiven is removed from us
-- Jesus knew the secrets of her soul, and so His forgiveness is permanent (eternal)
- TRANS: Don’t miss the invitation: Re-read v49
∆ Big Idea
- The others in the room ask, “Who is this that even forgives sins?”
-- APP: When confronted with your own sin (RE: no one is really honoring Jesus)
-- … it causes you to step back and evaluate your own position in life
- Jesus then commands the woman (v50) to go in peace; her faith has saved her
-- It is comforting to know that your life has been changed; set on the right course
-- HUGE: Your faith in God has brought you here, and for that you are set free
- What is done here is not just for the woman, but for all who would hear it
-- As you can see (v49) the room is obviously asking the right question …
- But I have a question for you: How would you answer what they’ve asked?
- Truly, who IS this that forgives sin and sets people’s lives right?
-- Consider how this woman’s life changed from that day forward
-- Was she now a perfect person? Probably not, no one is … but she is forgiven
- This is how you invite others to Christ: by knowing what He has done for you
-- By telling what He has done, and by showing others who you follow in life
-- This woman was given absolution and it changed her outlook/position
- When you invite others, you demonstrate your own submission to Christ
-- This is what opens the door for others to be drawn in to Him as well
-- Your invitation is this: Are you willing to invite others by demonstrating this?
- Pray
