Day 32

Day 32 (Week 7 Day 2)

Luke 7:36–50 (NIV)

³⁶ Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, ³⁸ and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said 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.”

⁴⁰ Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹ “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² 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?”

⁴³ Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

⁴⁴ Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the difference in how the Pharisees and the woman treat Jesus?

Why does Jesus accept the words and actions of the woman and reject the attitude of the Pharisee?

Do you believe some people are a lost cause and cannot be reached by God?

What is great about this woman’s faith? What can you learn from it?

Notes

Story deals with how we see people vs how Jesus sees people

vs 36 Interesting that while Jesus is at odds with the Pharisees He stills goes to them. Shows he hasn't given up on reaching out to them. They must see their sin for Jesus to be able to forgive them. The motives of the Pharisees become a little more suspect. Why inviting Jesus to eat? They have done in the past and will continue to do so (Luke 11:37, Luke 14:1) At first they may have been trying to understand Him. as time goes on it evolves in trying to set Him up and find things to use against Him (See Luke 14:1) It is interesting that on these occasions when Jesus interacts with the Pharisees that He doesn't hesitate to call them out for their sin. It reminds me of working with someone trying to get them to see they are wrong. At first you try to get them to recognize it without you yourself pointing it out. Over time if they do not change you have to be more vocal about it. It seems like we see this approach with Jesus. He at first tries to get them to see their view is wrong Luke 5:22, then moves to telling them basically this is why you are going to hell in Luke 11:39- 44. The Pharisees refuse to see their sin even when blatantly pointed out to them. This particular story is somewhere in the middle of this process of having the Pharisee’s see their sin.

vs 37 - we do not know who the woman is, most believe that is probably is a prostitute or at least an adulteress. Clear the town knows her sin (vs 39)

Jesus reclined at the table eating. Not chairs rather a divan type sitting where you lie down on a large cushion with your head at the table and your feet away from the table.

Alabaster jar of perfume- could be any type of perfume oil. Probably intended to anoint his head (vs 46) but because of the circumstance of Jesus lying down and being overwhelmed by her sin she doesn't get to anoint his head.

vs 38 overcome by emotion she cries tears running on Jesus feet she uses her hair to wipe them (note women not suppose to let down their hair in public) and then uses the perfume to anoint them. Kisses feet- may seem strange to us but sign of deep reverence in that culture, paying honor to someone (see Luke 15:20, Acts 20:37

vs 39- prophet would know- Almost like the Pharisee is saying ah here's proof that Jesus isn't anything.

vs 40 -43- Jesus uses the thought to show two things to the Pharisee. First he does know what type a woman she is (hence someone to be listened to) Second, he uses her example to show the Pharisee the appropriate way to respond to Jesus (seeking forgiveness and mercy)

vs 44 DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN- of course the Pharisee sees this woman- Jesus not talking about the physical seeing I think talking about the spiritual seeing. Pharisee has already judged her and dismissed her. She is a lost case. (Do I do this with people?) Can't see that what she does shows she repents from her sin.

44-46 The 3 things Jesus mentions are not necessary to be done for someone coming into your house but would definitely be something you would do to one you respect and hold in high regard. They are ways of honoring someone. Sort of like getting out the fine china for us when someone special comes.

vs 47- Is the lessen Jesus tries to teach the Pharisee. WAKE UP SEE YOU NEED FORGIVENESS JUST LIKE THIS WOMAN

vs 48, 50- His first words to the woman- YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN- what weight must have been lifted from her! Note not her actions, not even her tears (though they show her faith) it is her faith that has saved her! Her faith that Jesus is the way to forgiveness. Her faith that she could be forgiven

big words that echo GO IN PEACE- think back to Luke 2:14

vs 49- While the woman knows what to do with Jesus, the others don't . How can he forgive?, who does he think he is? Similar to Luke 5:21.

The mention of faith in the story of centurion and this story. It is not from the expected places (the religious) where faith is found. It is in the unexpected people. Idea is all have a chance for faith in God! No matter who you are.