Saturday, January 5, 2019

Luke 7:36-50 comments: Jesus' again declares authority to forgive sins


    Luke 7:36 ¶  And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40  And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41  There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49  And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50  And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

The fact that this woman was called a sinner shows that she was probably one of the class of people that the Pharisee’s viewed with contempt. For instance, they hated publicans, tax collectors, Gentiles, and prostitutes. This woman is adoring Christ, worshipping Him in humility and submission. Jesus then gives a parable about debt expressing that the person who has the most sin that is forgiven will be the most grateful. This plays into the Pharisee’s view of himself as above the woman and, if you think about it, is sort of a backhand accusation. It is actually the self-righteous Pharisee who has much to be forgiven of but doesn’t realize it. The religious person who depends on his own righteousness and not Christ’s for salvation is committing a greater sin than the carnal man or woman who humbly comes to God for mercy. What Jesus does next by stating that the woman’s sins are forgiven shows that He is expressing His right and power to forgive sins, something only God can do. Again and again Jesus declares His deity in this manner, doing things that the Jews acknowledge only God can do.

He forgave others their sins as in chapter 5 with the man with palsy lowered on his bed through the roof. Jesus is asserting authority over forgiveness of sins, which is very disturbing to the Pharisees as it carries implications of His deity.

5:21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

The woman has been saved from eternal condemnation and the torments of Hell, some of which Luke will describe later. The truly repentant person will worship and adore the Lord who bought them from their bondage. This is why it is so important to make the new believer understand that what they are entering into is not a business deal with God. Salvation and forgiveness are free gifts of God that must be received and God owes them nothing while they owe Him all their worship and adoration, coming to Him in humility and submission.

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