Unit: Luke (Part 1)
Theme: Perfect Humanity
Lesson Text: Luke 7:36-50
Supplemental Text: Luke 6:37; Luke 7:24-35
Aim: Remember Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness when dealing with troubled people.
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Download a PDF of this week’s lesson material (the Study by Mark Scott, Application by David Faust, and Discovery Questions by Michael C. Mack): LOOKOUT_Apr10_2022.
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By Mark Scott
People are broken. Jesus fixes broken people. In fact, when Jesus sees them about to snap in two or their flame of life about to be extinguished, he wraps his spiritual duct tape around the broken area and trims the wick so that the flame burns brightly again (Matthew 12:18-21 quoting Isaiah 42:1-4).
From time to time, something else gets broken (i.e., a person’s judgment). Humans are depraved, so their judgment typically is flawed. But divine judgment is always spot-on. On more than one occasion Jesus had to repair flawed human judgments by providing his perfect judgment. That perfect judgment often included mercy—something very much lacking in human judgments.
The Penitent (Luke 7:36-39)
We do not know how much time and distance was between Jesus’ teaching about John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35) and this incident with the penitent woman. But somewhere in Jesus’ travels (Luke 8:1) this woman came to Jesus in evident repentance. There is no record of Jesus knowing this woman, healing this woman, or teaching this woman. She evidently came to him out of great need. Many roads in life lead to despair. Jesus was this woman’s last hope.
This story is similar to when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). Some scholars connect the dots and belittle Mary’s character—a sort of guilt by association. But the differences outweigh the similarities. This woman is known as the “penitent woman.”
The occasion of the narrative was dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house. Table fellowship (i.e., those with whom Jesus ate) was a big theme in Luke’s Gospel. In came the unnamed woman. Her reputation was that of a “sinful one” (lived a sinful life). This may mean she was morally broken or that she did not give a fig about Pharisaic righteousness. She could easily access Jesus’ feet due to him reclining at the table. She poured out her repentance in several ways—weeping (in contrition) over his feet, letting her hair down so she could use her “glory” as a towel (a real social taboo), kissing his feet, and pouring expensive perfume on them.
Simon was chapped, but due to the honor and shame culture of the first century, he did not express his dismay outwardly. Simon’s inner thoughts concluded Jesus was no prophet, or else he would not have permitted such an error of righteousness.
The Parable (Luke 7:40-43)
The Master Teacher, who had divine insight into the Pharisee’s brain, schooled Simon with a three-point parable, with each point representing an allegorical character. The moneylender was God, the one who owed a huge debt was the penitent woman, and the one who owed a small debt was Simon. Neither debtor could pay the moneylender back (a subtle theological affirmation of Romans 3:23).
The parable sounded perfectly normal up to this point. But then, as was the case with so many of Jesus’ parables, it broke into fictional analogy when Jesus said the moneylender forgave the debts of both. The word for forgave in verse 42 is the verb for “grace.” The moneylender “graced” her. No doubt everyone reclining at the table was shocked at such a story. Who would do such a thing? Such extravagant grace.
Simon was invited by Jesus to render his verdict on the story (and thus slice his own throat). Which debtor will love the moneylender more? Simon’s answer was on-target—I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven. Jesus affirmed Simon’s judgment. Intellectually, Simon’s judgment was perfect.
The Point (Luke 7:44-50)
Sometimes the Master Storyteller left his parables open-ended (Luke 15:32). This was not one of those times. Jesus drove home the point with twenty-twenty vision. Jesus looked at the woman as he taught Simon. His words to Simon were biting, but his look toward the woman was warm and loving. Jesus went back and forth about what Simon did not do—no water for his feet (a common courtesy), no kiss of greeting (think handshake), no oil (to remove the stench of travel)—and what the woman did do—tears, kiss, and perfume.
Verse 47 is the drumroll conclusion. Her sins have been forgiven (sent away—a different word than in verse 42). Underneath this declaration is a sad principle—i.e., love for God and others is most often in proportion to one’s sense of gratitude for grace. Jesus declared forgiveness to her directly—even before Calvary. The other guests were amazed, but the woman, having given evidence of her faith, walked away saved and in peace. Simon’s sense of judgment needed adjustment. Jesus’ judgment was perfect.
Very enjoyable and such helpful insights!
Absolutely love this one, because it provides that special insight into God’s heart and why mercy and forgiveness can be more important than just the judgment of sin. Where else will people have a chance to be made anew? Thank you for this.