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Day 91

Luke 7:36-50 "BASIC POLITE CUSTOMS NEGLECTED"

Day 91 – Luke 7

Text: Luke 7:36-50

BASIC POLITE CUSTOMS NEGLECTED

Simon the Pharisee must have wished that he had not invited Jesus for a meal in his home. He was now publicly shamed! He could not deny that what Jesus said was true. It was common courtesy to do certain things when a person is invited to a home.

Water would be provided to wash the feet. Most streets were not paved. The Roman highways were better built and upkept. It was customary for a host to offer a guest, any guest at all, water to wash his feet.

It was also customary to greet a guest with a kiss on the cheek, as a symbol of friendship. However, this basic courtesy was not even shown to Jesus.

If a host was wealthy, and the passage intimates to us the fact that Simon was quite well-to-do, he would even provide oil for the guests to refresh themselves. The guests would try and freshen up before the commencement of a meal. However, none of these things were given to Jesus!

Simon had actually insulted Jesus right from the moment they entered his home. When Simon did not offer water for Jesus to wash His feet, and did not offer Him a kiss, and gave Him no oil to refresh himself, Simon committed deadly social “NO, NOs”. Jesus could have forgiven that. The fact that He kept silent when none of these things were offered to Him, already displayed largesse of grace to Simon the Pharisee! Jesus understood that Simon did not think very much of Him at all. Nevertheless, He went and sat down for a meal with him! That’s Jesus all over!

“TO WHOM LITTLE IS FORGIVEN, THE SAME LOVES LITTLE.” Luke 7:47

The conversation at the meal revolved around the subject of forgiveness, and its logical fruit of love. If a person has truly been forgiven, then surely the person would feel a deep sense of love for the One who has extended forgiveness!

On the other hand, if a person has not appreciated what it means to be truly forgiven, then he would not know how to appreciate let alone love the One who extends forgiveness!

Jesus hit the nail on the head, where the Pharisees and the Scribes were concerned. They were so caught up with their self-righteousness that they felt that there was little to be forgiven of in their lives.

The woman who knew just how wretched and sinful her life had been, found that her heart welled up with love for Jesus. She had not been turned away. Even if she had, she would have felt that she deserved it. Instead, Jesus spoke up for her. He showed that He really understood how she felt.

Yes, she loved Jesus with all her heart, with all her soul and with all her strength. How could she love any less? She had sinned grievously. But Jesus spoke only of forgiveness and love. How wonderful Jesus was!

Simon did not love Jesus much, if at all. He did not see himself as a wretched sinner. He could even criticize Jesus for not rejecting the woman when she stood at His feet weeping!

FINALLY – A FEW TENDER WORDS

At last Jesus turned to the woman, and spoke just a few words to her. She did not need many words from the Teacher. Just a few personal words from Him would last her a lifetime.

“Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:48

Simple words. Just four words – four very simple words! (Interestingly, in the Greek text, we also have just four words). But they were worth their weight in gold!

To be forgiven – what did that mean to a woman who had lived all her life in sin?

1. It would represent a new beginning. A new lifestyle was now possible! She would never go back to her old lifestyle. She had been forgiven!

2. It would mean that she could now hold her head up high, and walk about with true dignity once again – for she had been forgiven!

3. It would mean that she could even become a disciple of the Lord Jesus. She could follow Him!

In a few masterful strokes, Luke paints for us another portrait of Jesus. We now understand even better why great multitudes flocked to Jesus. We now understand better just why the sinners, the tax collectors etc felt drawn to Jesus.

He loved them. He did not despise them. He drew them to Himself. He offered forgiveness. He ushered them into the Kingdom of Heaven! “BUT WE SEE JESUS…”

“WHO IS THIS WHO EVEN FORGIVES SINS?” Luke 7:49

Simon’s friends who were also invited for the meal at his home were shocked! They were not shocked at the public rebuke of Jesus for Simon’s social misdemeanours. They were utterly shocked when they heard the pronouncement of Jesus – that the woman’s sins were forgiven.

This was now the second time when Jesus declared someone’s sins forgiven. He spoke similar words to a paralytic who was brought to him for healing (Luke 5:20). Once again, they heard those gracious words!

Who was this Man? How could He declare that the sins of the woman forgiven? They were agitated and the significance of the meal evaporated!

FURTHER WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

The woman scarcely moved. Did she really hear Jesus saying that her sins were forgiven? Could she really walk out as a forgiven sinner?

Then Jesus spoke again – but it was not to answer the question of the friends of Simon the Pharisee. Yes, Jesus spoke to her again!

“Your faith has saved you.
Go in peace.” Luke 7:50

Yes, Jesus truly understood her. He saw what was in her heart. She had faith in her heart – that Jesus was indeed the Saviour, and thus He would not condemn her. With this little faith in her heart, she had made her way to the home of Simon the Pharisee. She braved every thing to see Jesus. Her faith was rewarded. Peace settled in her heart at last.