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Luke 7:36-50 "A TYPICAL CASE OF TOTAL MISUNDERSTANDING"

Day 90 – Luke 7

Text: Luke 7:36-50

A TYPICAL CASE OF TOTAL MISUNDERSTANDING

It must have taken a lot of courage for the “woman in the city who was a sinner” (a euphemistic way of describing her as a prostitute) to even attempt to see Jesus. Simon the Pharisee’s reaction to her was typical and expected.

Simon must have fought for control within his heart. It would be impolite to criticize a guest. Also if he did not want this unwelcome visitor, why did he not take precautionary measures to prevent her from entering his house in the first place? Thus he fumed inside his heart, and his misgivings concerning Jesus grew. In his heart, he was thinking these thoughts,

“This man, if he were a prophet,
would know who and what manner of woman
this is who is touching Him,
for she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39

Simon the Pharisee prided himself in the fact that he could see what this woman was – she was nothing but a sinner! How could Jesus not know that she was sinful? Surely a prophet worth his salt would be able to know instantly that she was a sinner – and therefore would not allow her to touch Him! Thus in his heart, Simon despised Jesus – and yet he had invited Him to his house for a meal!

THE USUAL PHARISAICAL REACTION AGAINST THE SINFUL

The typical response of the Pharisees and Scribes to those who were known sinners was that of avoidance. They essentially isolated themselves from those whom they regarded as sinners, and thus unworthy of their friendship and fellowship. They wrote off sinners as people who are beyond redemption! They expected that all who are truly righteous ought to behave as they did! They judged all others by their own behavioural code.

Jesus had been condemned before; because He sat down to have a meal with Matthew the erstwhile tax collector. He was suspect, in the opinion of the Pharisees and Scribes, because He did not make a distinction between the righteous and the sinful! How was Simon going to broach this subject to his guest? He would have to think about how he could question his famous Guest as to why He did not react as was expected of all who were truly prophets of God (or so he thought).

DID JESUS UNDERSTAND THE WOMAN’S UNSPOKEN MESSAGE?

What the woman did was now going to be the main topic for the meal-conversation. It was now out in the open.

Would Jesus openly condemn her? Would Jesus take the view of Simon the Pharisee? Would He write her off, as the rest of society did? The woman held her breath as Jesus began to speak to Simon. She would listen carefully, for He must surely communicate a special message to her. She had not spoken a word, but deep in her heart she must have felt that even in the silence of Jesus, He had spoken to her.

His silence was a good sign. He had not rejected her. He could have withdrawn His feet. He could have stopped her at any time. But He did not. Surely, His silence must mean something!

THE PARABLE OF TWO DEBTORS

Once again, Jesus came up with a powerful parable. The simplicity of this parable was breath-taking in its beauty. The Prophet did not speak lofty and mysterious words of God. He spoke simply, so that a sinful person could understand.

But wait, wasn’t there depth in this parable, so that it would also speak to the hearts of people like the self-righteous Simon the Pharisee?

Jesus did not just tell the simple story of two debtors, He engaged Simon over the interpretation of the meaning of the parable. There was one debtor who owed his creditor 500 denarii. There was another debtor who owed his creditor a smaller sum, just 50 denarii. Though the sums owed were different in size, nevertheless, both were in debt!

Both debtors owed something more than money to their creditor! Both were in need, and the loan given to them was necessary! Surely, they should feel grateful to the creditor. Jesus ventured that the debtors should even feel a sense of gratitude leaning towards affection to the creditor. His gracious help ought to be reciprocated with gratitude and affection. The creditor did something else. He cancelled the debts owed to him.

“Which of them will love him (the creditor) more?” Jesus asked Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:42) . Simon, drawn into the conversation, had to admit that it would be logical to conclude that the debtor who had been forgiven more would of course feel a greater sense of appreciation and love toward his creditor (Luke 7:42-43).

JESUS REALLY UNDERSTOOD!

In response to Simon’s statement, Jesus brought forth his punch line! When Jesus entered into Simon’s home, basic courtesy was not even shown to Him. Jesus gently pointed out the following,

“You (Simon) gave Me no water for My feet…
You gave Me no kiss…
You did not anoint My head with oil…”
Luke 7:44, 45, 46

On the other hand, the woman shed a copious amount of tears to wash the feet of Jesus, kissed His feet, and then anointed them with fragrant oil! She was like the former debtor who had been forgiven of much! She loved Jesus much – much more than Simon the Pharisee would!

Without a direct word from Jesus to the woman, a special message had been preached. The woman now knew without a doubt, that Jesus really understood her! He was surely the Messiah-Saviour. Only He could understand so deeply. Only He could forgive one so sinful! Yes, she LOVED Jesus with all her heart!