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112. At a Pharisee's House

Luke 7:36-50
Key Verse: Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Luke 7:50

We can't help but admire this brave, desperate woman. Her reputation obviously preceded her. Everyone in the room knew who she was and how she lived and what she did, perhaps for a living. Perhaps Jesus had had a previous conversation with her and had shown her love and tenderness in a way she had never known. Thus, she was now responding to that love. Jesus did not recoil for the sake of His own reputation but continued to show her mercy; mercy that her fellow human beings had refused to give. God the creator, God the Holy one, allowed Himself to be touched by sin, to forgive it and make her whole.

We don’t know why the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, but it wasn’t out of any kind of gratitude, and Jesus will go to great lengths to point that out and embarrass his host! In that culture it was really rude for a guest to let the host know how he had failed to entertain properly. It was scandalous! But probably in Jesus’ mind the greater scandal was how uncaring, unmerciful and hostile the Pharisee’s attitude was toward the woman.

So, Jesus asks a question. "Two men owed money to a certain money lender. One owed him 500 denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." (Luke 7:41-43)

Both Simon and the woman had been unclean. Both were in the presence of holiness, though they didn't deserve it. Both stood condemned by the Law, but only one was truly aware of her need. The other may have thought he deserved the blessings of the good life, much like the obedient but angry older brother in the story of the prodigal.

Be careful not to take too seriously what the world thinks of you. The world's opinions are fickle at best. One day you are liked and popular and the next you may be tossed aside for a newer model. God's opinion of you, however never changes. You are always a sinner in need of His grace which He longs to give you. He loves you and wants to claim you as His own. He died for you and He will never regret doing so. Focus on Him, your forgiver, and respond as one who has truly been forgiven.

Prayer: Oh, thank you Lord, for how much I have been forgiven! May I ever be grateful and mindful of the enormity of my sinful debt, and the great escape from death itself that you have provided. I want to love you very much and never forget! Then, Lord, may I welcome every other sinner with your love and grace, and celebrate life with them when they repent, and be there to see it because I did not push them away. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hymn: "Freely, Freely" 

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