We have been studying the account of Luke 7:36-50. We have already taken a look at the situation that arose, the illustration that Jesus told, and the application that he made to Simon's life. (you'll have to search the archives to read the last two blog entries if you want to catch up OR you could go to cleary.tv and watch) Today, let us see the invitation and its outcome. In verse 47-50 we read, Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Here we see the invitation and its outcome. The invitation was very shocking. It was shocking because the woman of the city was pronounced forgiven. It was shocking because the religious man of the city was not pronounced forgiven. Jesus' statement of forgiveness towards the woman provoked resentment from the religious crowd. In essence he is saying, you are forgiven, but you are not.
Every meal ever had with Pharisees ended up in rebellious unbelief. Self-righteousness is such a terrible, terrible kind of blindness. The most unredeemable of all is the one who thinks he's not a sinner and doesn't need redemption, who thinks that God is pleased with him the way he is. This is the worst of sinners. The worst kind of sin is the sin of self-righteousness, the assumption that you on your own can obtain a place in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus has orchestrated, in his sovereignty, this chain of events to awaken Simon to his lost and sinful condition. This then is a story of Jesus using a wretched sinner (a prostitute) to reach an even worse sinner (a self-righteous religious leader). The situation is clear, the illustration is clear, the application is clear, the invitation is dead. Why? Because Simon was sure that the situation, the illustration, the application could never apply to Him. God, help us never miss your message to us. God give us ears that hear and eyes that see and hearts that feel your conviction. Give us minds that are renewed, and lives that are transformed, and wills that are eager to repent at every instance of conviction from your Word and your Spirit. God, forbid that we be like Simon the Pharisee.
A LITTLE ASSIGNMENT: For those of you who would like to participate, I would like to ask for your input. Could you prepare for me a word picture of what you believe the ideal church would look like FROM GOD'S WORD. I am not looking for opinions. Rather, I am looking for a biblical picture of the ideal church. Write down for me that church's characteristics, DETAILS PLEASE, and get that back to me through email or by replying to this blog ASAP.
Also, what do you think Cleary should look like 10 years from now (attendance, $$, missions, ministry, buildings etc) if we stay in the center of God's will. I know these are some big assignments, but if you would like to take the time to put together something for me (us) it would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Until next time...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Secrets of the Kingdom: Simon and the Sinful Woman, Part 2
This week we are looking at Luke 7:36-50.
Yesterday, we examined the situation that took place in verses 36-39. Today, we will see the illustration that Jesus used to make his point in Luke 7:40-43. And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 41 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."
Jesus shared a parable to illustrate the truth he is trying to convey to Simon. He tells the story of a moneylender who had two individuals who were in debt to him. One owed him 500 denarii. The other owed him 50. A denarius was a day's pay for a laborer. 500 denarii was 20 months pay, while 50 denarii was 2 months pay. Neither of these individuals could pay, so the moneylender canceled their debts. What happened to the debt? Did it just disappear?
Any time somebody forgives a debt, they themselves incur that debt in full. The debt doesn't go away. Someone has to eat the debt. In this case it was the moneylender. The debt didn't disappear. He had to pay it. If I lend you 500 denarii and you can't pay and I say, "I forgive that," then now I've incurred that debt completely. That debt is now mine. The cost is transferred to me. I pay. To understand that is to get an insight into the forgiveness of God. When God forgave your sins, the debt did not just go away. He incurred the debt and He paid it in full in the person of Jesus Christ. So it's not just forgiveness and it's done, it's forgiveness and then the debt is transferred to the forgiver.
Jesus is giving Simon a sneak preview of the New Covenant and of the Gospel! God is perfect and owes no one anything. We are all in debt to him, because we all have a sin debt. It is a debt that we can never ever pay. No matter how moral we are, no matter what we do, no matter how hard we work for God, our debt will never be paid down by us. God cannot just ignore the debt, our sin. To do so would be unjust. It would be dishonest. So, he incurred the sin-debt, and the wages of sin is death. So he died for us. He paid the price for our sin. He incurred our debt. The good news is, he rose from that death after three days and is now alive forevermore. This parable served as an illustration.
Not only did Jesus give a situation and an illustration, but then he gave a straightforward application to Simon. In Luke 7:44-46 we read, 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Now he has come to the application. He turned to look at the woman and asked Simon, Do you see this woman? Did he? It is an interesting point. Simon could not see that woman as she then was, for looking at her as she had been. It is so hard to get over the past. Often because we get focused on the past, we miss the present.
Simon missed a present opportunity. It would have been expected that the host would have provided water for his guest's feet . Abraham provided water for his guest's feet in Genesis 18:4 which says, "Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree." Jesus had not received this courtesy from Simon, but he had had his feet washed with the woman's tears. Similarly in place of the kiss of welcome that might have been expected from the host, he had received kisses on his feet from this woman. And finally, whereas Simon had omitted to anoint Jesus' head with oil, olive oil which was plentiful and cheap, the woman had anointed his feet with perfume which was rare and expensive. The reception from Simon (the religious Pharissee) had been cold, patronizing and discourteous. The reception from the repentant, broken woman was just the opposite. And why? Because she understood the weight of her sin and the joy of forgiveness.
What a difference it would make in our day to day lives, our day to day worship, our service, our giving, and our going if we could simply catch a glimpse of our sinfulness in the shadow of God's holiness. It is so easy for the "churched crowd" to forget how sinful we truly are. It is so easy to begin taking the forgiveness of God for granted. It is so easy to presume upon the riches of his grace. Oh God, help us to see that our sin debt is greater than we could ever pay, is greater than we have ever recognized, and is greater than we could ever imagine. Help us to see our absolute, total helplessness apart from your grace, mercy, blood, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Oh God, help us to see and to love you. Until next time…
Yesterday, we examined the situation that took place in verses 36-39. Today, we will see the illustration that Jesus used to make his point in Luke 7:40-43. And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 41 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."
Jesus shared a parable to illustrate the truth he is trying to convey to Simon. He tells the story of a moneylender who had two individuals who were in debt to him. One owed him 500 denarii. The other owed him 50. A denarius was a day's pay for a laborer. 500 denarii was 20 months pay, while 50 denarii was 2 months pay. Neither of these individuals could pay, so the moneylender canceled their debts. What happened to the debt? Did it just disappear?
Any time somebody forgives a debt, they themselves incur that debt in full. The debt doesn't go away. Someone has to eat the debt. In this case it was the moneylender. The debt didn't disappear. He had to pay it. If I lend you 500 denarii and you can't pay and I say, "I forgive that," then now I've incurred that debt completely. That debt is now mine. The cost is transferred to me. I pay. To understand that is to get an insight into the forgiveness of God. When God forgave your sins, the debt did not just go away. He incurred the debt and He paid it in full in the person of Jesus Christ. So it's not just forgiveness and it's done, it's forgiveness and then the debt is transferred to the forgiver.
Jesus is giving Simon a sneak preview of the New Covenant and of the Gospel! God is perfect and owes no one anything. We are all in debt to him, because we all have a sin debt. It is a debt that we can never ever pay. No matter how moral we are, no matter what we do, no matter how hard we work for God, our debt will never be paid down by us. God cannot just ignore the debt, our sin. To do so would be unjust. It would be dishonest. So, he incurred the sin-debt, and the wages of sin is death. So he died for us. He paid the price for our sin. He incurred our debt. The good news is, he rose from that death after three days and is now alive forevermore. This parable served as an illustration.
Not only did Jesus give a situation and an illustration, but then he gave a straightforward application to Simon. In Luke 7:44-46 we read, 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Now he has come to the application. He turned to look at the woman and asked Simon, Do you see this woman? Did he? It is an interesting point. Simon could not see that woman as she then was, for looking at her as she had been. It is so hard to get over the past. Often because we get focused on the past, we miss the present.
Simon missed a present opportunity. It would have been expected that the host would have provided water for his guest's feet . Abraham provided water for his guest's feet in Genesis 18:4 which says, "Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree." Jesus had not received this courtesy from Simon, but he had had his feet washed with the woman's tears. Similarly in place of the kiss of welcome that might have been expected from the host, he had received kisses on his feet from this woman. And finally, whereas Simon had omitted to anoint Jesus' head with oil, olive oil which was plentiful and cheap, the woman had anointed his feet with perfume which was rare and expensive. The reception from Simon (the religious Pharissee) had been cold, patronizing and discourteous. The reception from the repentant, broken woman was just the opposite. And why? Because she understood the weight of her sin and the joy of forgiveness.
What a difference it would make in our day to day lives, our day to day worship, our service, our giving, and our going if we could simply catch a glimpse of our sinfulness in the shadow of God's holiness. It is so easy for the "churched crowd" to forget how sinful we truly are. It is so easy to begin taking the forgiveness of God for granted. It is so easy to presume upon the riches of his grace. Oh God, help us to see that our sin debt is greater than we could ever pay, is greater than we have ever recognized, and is greater than we could ever imagine. Help us to see our absolute, total helplessness apart from your grace, mercy, blood, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Oh God, help us to see and to love you. Until next time…
Monday, February 23, 2009
A God Situation
As we continue to look into the Secrets of the Kingdom, we come to the third parable in Luke's Gospel. If one word could be used to characterize this entire situation, it is the word tense. The woman of the city is tense because she is entering a Pharisees house. Simon is tense because such a woman would enter his house during a public meal. The others present are tense because Jesus is publicly rebuking Simon for his lack of love. Jesus has, in his sovereignty, used somebody who was transformed (the woman) as an instrument to give the power of the gospel to somebody else (Simon). And that's exactly what happens in the account before us. Jesus, who came to seek and to save the lost, is here seeking a lost man, a lost Pharisee, by the name of Simon. And He uses the transformed life of a woman as the testimony to Simon and all around the table. This is in essence a sermon that is acted out before everyone present. Jesus, in his sovereignty creates a situation, gives an illustration, provides an application, and even offers an invitation.
Luke 7:36-50
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 41 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
We see first, a Sovereign Situation. Luke 7:36-39 states, "One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."
A woman of the city comes into Simon's house. All that we really know about her is that she is a woman of the city: a sinner, most likely a prostitute. A woman of her reputation would not have been very welcome in Simon's house, so it took some courage to come. No people were more proud, exclusive, and self-righteous than the Pharisees. They looked with scorn and contempt on the type of woman that now appeared. But she comes in, walks past the uppity up, and the holier than thou religious leaders, and went straight to Jesus.
She fell at Jesus' feet weeping. Her tears began to fall on his feet. She began to wet (in the Greek to rain) tears on His feet. She promptly wiped them with her hair which was a significant action, for Jewish ladies did not unbind their hair in public. Letting down one's hair in public was shameful and even a ground for divorce. Then, the Word of God says that she was kissing His feet. The Greek word used is kataphileo which is an intense word. It's used in Luke 15:20 of the father's kisses when the prodigal came home and he fell on his neck and kept embracing and embracing and embracing, kissing.
Finally, she anoints Jesus' feet. She pulls out an alabaster flask. An alabaster container that was quarried and carved in Egypt. This flask was filled with costly ointment. Many Jewish women had around their neck a vial of perfume on a cord or a leather thong which they kept with them all the time. It was a sort of deodorant. It was not uncommon for women to spend a lot of money on perfume. The kind of perfume that's indicated here is not a cheap oil but a costly perfume. There is no turning back in her mind. She didn't take the lid off of the flask; she broke it. She didn't pour the contents out, she spilled them out. Talk about a situation! It was a situation that was intended to awaken Simon.
How many situations arise in our day to day lives that are meant by God to awaken us? And how many of those situations do we miss? Let us seek to discern God's will and voice, not just during morning or evening devotions, but all throughout the day. Until next time. . .
Luke 7:36-50
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 41 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
We see first, a Sovereign Situation. Luke 7:36-39 states, "One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."
A woman of the city comes into Simon's house. All that we really know about her is that she is a woman of the city: a sinner, most likely a prostitute. A woman of her reputation would not have been very welcome in Simon's house, so it took some courage to come. No people were more proud, exclusive, and self-righteous than the Pharisees. They looked with scorn and contempt on the type of woman that now appeared. But she comes in, walks past the uppity up, and the holier than thou religious leaders, and went straight to Jesus.
She fell at Jesus' feet weeping. Her tears began to fall on his feet. She began to wet (in the Greek to rain) tears on His feet. She promptly wiped them with her hair which was a significant action, for Jewish ladies did not unbind their hair in public. Letting down one's hair in public was shameful and even a ground for divorce. Then, the Word of God says that she was kissing His feet. The Greek word used is kataphileo which is an intense word. It's used in Luke 15:20 of the father's kisses when the prodigal came home and he fell on his neck and kept embracing and embracing and embracing, kissing.
Finally, she anoints Jesus' feet. She pulls out an alabaster flask. An alabaster container that was quarried and carved in Egypt. This flask was filled with costly ointment. Many Jewish women had around their neck a vial of perfume on a cord or a leather thong which they kept with them all the time. It was a sort of deodorant. It was not uncommon for women to spend a lot of money on perfume. The kind of perfume that's indicated here is not a cheap oil but a costly perfume. There is no turning back in her mind. She didn't take the lid off of the flask; she broke it. She didn't pour the contents out, she spilled them out. Talk about a situation! It was a situation that was intended to awaken Simon.
How many situations arise in our day to day lives that are meant by God to awaken us? And how many of those situations do we miss? Let us seek to discern God's will and voice, not just during morning or evening devotions, but all throughout the day. Until next time. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)