As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, the thought of being forgiven is a past, historical moment in time. But from this weeks study, we see that the gracious, thankful and adorning relationship we have with Jesus is just as important now as it was when we first approach Him for forgiveness.

In the following parable we get some insight to a couple of people in debt to God, we also get to see the two sides of the spectrum.

³⁶One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. ³⁷When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. ³⁸Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

³⁹When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”

⁴⁰Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

⁴¹Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. ⁴²But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

⁴³Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. ⁴⁴Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

⁴⁷“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”

⁵⁰And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – Luke 7:36-50 NLT

What are your basic thoughts or take-aways from this section of scripture?

Why do you think Jesus even offered the parable in this situation?

Context/Background

Similar to last weeks session, the scene is captured when Jesus comes back to his hometown, Galilee, he is now in his 30’s and there has been a lot news about all the miracles and wonders associated with Jesus. Much like our own friends and family, they are skeptical about the situation, because they know who he was and who his family is and what things were like. Prior to this scene the speculations and attitudes were shared.

I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. – Luke 4:24 NLT

After Jesus said he was the bread of life, they responded with:

They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” – John 6:42 NLT

⁵⁴He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” ⁵⁵Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. ⁵⁶All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” ⁵⁷And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” ⁵⁸And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. – Matthew 13:54-58 NLT

We each know who we are. We know our families and we know how things were. Yet, isn’t it strange that sometimes we are more appreciated in new places than we are in our hometown or neighborhoods? Many times it can feel like people from our neighborhoods or even our own family don’t think change can happen, or even what has happened ain’t that great because of who we were.  (that is kind of strange when they really should be that much more astounded about the change that other strangers don’t know about).

Do you have any similar situations to share where people that knew you in the past find it hard to embrace who you are now? 

This event at the pharisee Simon’s house takes place after the locals come to him and once again question him on who he is and send word to him about John the Baptist request to know if he was the messiah.  John at this time was in prison and had sent word to ask Jesus.  Jesus was obviouisly getting a lot of attention and previous section describes how he was healing and cleansing many.

What is your insight on how Jesus heals those near him and sets them free from their bondage, but does not offer to go get John out of prison?  What might the locals think of such a situation? 

Jesus states to the locals in verses 33-35:

³³For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ ³⁵But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” – Luke 7:33-35 NIV

Let’s eat

The next scene we get from Luke is that Jesus is having dinner at one of the Pharisee’s house, probably after a synagogue service.  Understanding that the Pharisees greatly valued purity and generally viewed touching a “sinner” as having a defiling effect.

In your mind, what could have been the reasoning and motivation of the Pharisee to have dinner with this man Jesus?

It was not uncommon for uninvited guests to be found at a banquet, and among them this time was a woman well known as a prostitute. Since people reclined on couches instead of sitting on chairs to eat formal meals, she was easily able to reach Jesus. She proceeded to anoint Jesus with perfume, very possibly bought with her immoral earnings, but she could not finish her task for tears. Her actions were no doubt unseemly, but she was under too great emotional stress to care what people thought.

What is the emotions, attitude of this woman?

When we went through Enemies of the Heart, by Andy Stanley, we learned about facing our emotions, fears, and painful situations and bringing them into the light, via confession ( Confronting Guilt ). We have learned that an attitude of gratitude is a monumental approach.

Can you see in this scripture how the woman is showing gratitude?  What are some of the things that she is doing? What would be the tension or emotions going on in the room. If you were in the room, how might you describe the scene? Have you been in situations where some were acting in dramatic ways distracting from the point of a gathering?

 The other side of the table

The Pharisee was disturbed by the way in which Jesus accepted this respect given by such an undesirable person in so embarrassing a manner. His feeling that Jesus might be a prophet was being contradicted by Jesus’ being seemingly unaware that the person touching him was a sinner—and therefore ‘unclean’.  Jesus notices that attitude, or maybe in response to some dialog not captured in the scripture, he responds with the parable.

“Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.” “That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”  Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.” – Luke 7:41-48 MSG

How can you relate or use the parable in relationship to the scene at the dinner table?

Our condition, our ability

In review of the scripture we can see the impact and attitude that was established in that room, and it is directly related to one’s ability to understand where they are at. As a Christian, and growing believer and follower of Jesus’ teachings, we can find ourselves on the other side of the table, seeing others and forgetting who we are.

Jesus made it clear in this teaching lesson, it is not about the banker being a nice guy, it is about the change that is possible in the person in debt.

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. – Luke 7:47

How does a person’s perception of their own sinfulness affect their ability to love others? Can you see this situation illustrated in the scriptures?

How should we view our own sinfulness (debt), and how should we act as members of the kingdom (those who are forgiven)?

Conscious Perspectives

After this week’s session, it should be clear that the Kingdom of Heaven is “like” a banquet table with many guests. How the weight of sin and what it means to be free.  We must realize that many times our debt is so much more than about money.

Many of the things that weigh us down and separate us from a vibrant life in the Kingdom of Heave and God is our sin. Many times are stubbornness and independent nature cause us to not be grateful, to not see his forgiveness and it builds and builds. Let us be like the woman and be to a point of gratefulness that almost seems undignified, and rightfully so if understood where we would be without him.

Let us continue to engage with others in the Kingdom of Heaven and take personal inventory, knowing who we are and being grateful for who He is.  Let us be wise and see the whole scene at the banquet. Let us not be caught on the other side of the table and judging guests more than we are focused and grateful for our guest of honor.

Next week

We will be seeing how God’s kingdom can grow in our heart…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marshall, I. H. (1994). Luke. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 993). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.