A Pharisee and a sinful woman Luke 7: 36-50 A Pharisee and a sinful woman

Overview The dinner party The sinful woman The Pharisee Jesus teaching to the Pharisee Jesus forgives the sinful woman So what?

The dinner party (verse 36) Jesus accepts the Pharisee’s invitation Jesus reclined at the table A teaching opportunity Uninvited guests would gather to quietly listen to the conversation Simon’s motive is not explicitly stated Even though this man was a Pharisee, Jesus still accepts his invitation Low table with couches around, head next to the table, feet away from it Pharisee was probably a wealthy man This was not uncommon – visiting Rabbi would often be invited back for a meal, particularly after speaking at the synagogue Was seen as an opportunity or teach and engage in conversation Uninvited guests Simon’s motive Does not appear to have been trying to trick Jesus May have had a genuine interest – perhaps he knew someone who had been healed Seems to be considering whether Jesus was a prophet – perhaps saw an opportunity to try to see whether this was the case May have been interested in the status of entertaining Jesus Simon didn’t extend the cultural civilities: water to wash Jesus feet, a kiss, oil to anoint the dry scalp None-the-less, his motives seem to have been broadly good

The sinful woman (Verses 37 & 38) She had previously lived an immoral life She was still living with the stigma She was clearly repentant and remorseful She heard that Jesus was at the Pharisees house She went there to anoint Jesus She was overcome with gratitude and love May have met Jesus previously or may have repented under John’s preaching She still appears to have had an uncovered head She had no further use of the perfume to conduct her trade, but now she uses it to anoint Jesus’ feet

The Pharisee (Verse 39) The Pharisee is judging Jesus The Pharisee comes to the wrong conclusion The Pharisee does not understand grace Theologically Practically Our theology affects our actions The Pharisee’s mixed ideas about Jesus We must submit our thoughts and ideas to scripture and to revelation, not place them under our reason and ideas The Pharisee concludes that Jesus can’t be a prophet because if her was he would know what she was like and have nothing to do with her The Pharisee is trying to fit Jesus into his frame of understanding – he recognises Jesus as a teacher but is constrained by his own thoughts and ideas The Pharisee doesn't ask Jesus about this – he is still making up his mind about whether he accepts Jesus as a prophet or rejects him as many of the other Pharisees have done

Jesus teaching to the Pharisee (Verses 40 – 47) Jesus answers Simons thought question Jesus uses a parable Jesus compares Simon and the woman to the characters in the story Jesus challenges Simon’s thinking in a gentle, loving and practical way 1 denarai = 1 days wages therefore one owed him about 8 weeks wages while the other owed him over 18 months wages No word for gratitude in the ancient Aramaic languages so love is used Both men were equally helpless to pay off their debt but we see one as in a worse situation that the other

Jesus forgives the sinful woman (Verses 48 – 50) Jesus acknowledges her “many sins” Jesus acknowledges her great love Jesus publicly pronounces forgiveness The people wondered about Jesus Jesus acknowledges the woman’s faith

So what? Do we treat everyone as individuals? Do we embrace hospitality as a tool in evangelism and ministry? Do we seek opportunity to learn in all situations? Do we seek to see people as God does? Do we see who they are and can be? Do we cling to who they were and their past sin Do we welcome those in whom Jesus is working Are we careful to examine people’s lives and teaching to see whether they are speaking the truth? Are we open to God challenging our thoughts and preconceived ideas as we do so? Do we test our theology by its fruit as well as by scripture? How do we go about challenging people who are in the wrong? Do we seek to keep a right balance in acknowledging both our sinfulness and God’s grace and forgiveness Do we accept those the Lord has forgiven?