Sermon Central
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A Sinner Came To Dinner Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 11, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: To observe, a sinner came to dinner while Jesus ate with a Pharisee. She, being reviled, bore remorse for her sins; began to wash Jesus’ feet with tears and dried them with her hair. Jesus spoke of two debtors: the one owed 500 pence, the other only 50. He asks: If both are forgiven, who loves most?
INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. She Came to Him Reviled
2. She Bore Her Remorse
3. She Left Him Restored
Introductory Remarks.
1. Our lesson today will discuss a theme: “A sinner came to dinner." This lesson deals with a woman of the city, having many sins coming to Jesus condemned, but showing deep contrition and left restored, cleansed (forgiven) of her sins: because of the love and compassion of Jesus. This lesson shows how some are indeed burdened by their sins, while others are unaware that they are sinners. Jesus will present for our consideration a lesson of His love for all sinners and affirm: "those that are forgiven most will love Him more." We will discuss three points in this lesson. They are,
2. First, we will consider how she came unto Jesus being reviled and scorned by Simon, a Pharisee, and his guest, who had invited Him to dinner: “That He might eat with him.” We do not know how she learned that the Lord was dining at the Pharisee’s house, but she made her way there: appearing unannounced at the house of Simon. Chatter between the Pharisee and his guest indicated she was a sinner, a woman of the city. Luke wrote: she was “a woman in the city.” Many commentaries describe her as a harlot, but I am not sure that is the case. The Pharisees had nothing to do with “publicans and sinners.” And would stay away from them at all costs. Simon, however, did not ask his servants to remove her. I suspect it was because she went immediately to Jesus’ feet and began to wash them. While Simon and the other guest looked on, expressing disfavor for the woman and questioning Jesus as being a prophet.
3. Second, we will discuss how she bore sincere remorse for her sins. Luke wrote: "She washed his feet with her tears and dried them with the hairs of her head." She wept uncontrollably, kissing His feet and anointing them with the fragrant oil she brought for that very reason. Jesus is moved with compassion for her and tells the host a parable of two debtors. When He concluded, he compared her acts of love to the Pharisees. After asking him: "If both debtors, one owing 500 pence and the other 50 pence, were forgiven of their entire debt." He asked Simon, "which would love their master the most?" He replied: “I suppose the one forgiven them most.” Jesus said: “You have answered correctly.” He then begins to apply His parable unto the Pharisee and his guest.
4. Lastly, we will investigate how she left the presence of the Lord restored: being forgiven of her sins and saved by her faith: due to her great love for Jesus. Luke wrote: "And Jesus said unto Simon, do you see this woman? I came into your house, but you gave me no water to wash my feet, but she has " bedew them" or washed them with her tears and dried them with the hair of her head; Simon, you did not greet me with a kiss, but this woman has ceased not to kiss them since she came into your house; and Simon, you gave me no oil for my head, but she has anointed my feet with an oil of a lively aromatic fragrant. Therefore, once forgiven, I say unto you, her many sins: "she will love me more.” Then He said unto the woman, “thy sins are forgiven thee, thy faith hath saved thee, go, in peace.” And those at dinner said: “who is this that also forgiveth sins.” This woman came refused by all but left reclaimed and forgiven by the Son of man, who had “power to forgive sins while on the earth; and power to forgive sins being in heaven sitting on His throne as our “great high priest,” Hebrews 4:14-16. Let's consider our first point in this lesson with this brief introduction completed.
BODY OF LESSON
I SHE CAME TO HIM REVILED
A. Jesus’ invited. Luke wrote: “And one of the Pharisees desired that Jesus would eat with him. And He went into the Pharisees’ house, and sat down to meat,” Luke 7:36. Apparently, the rift between the scribes and Pharisees was not yet widened, that they could not extend unto Him the courtesy to "dine with them." Although Jesus accepted this invitation, the Pharisees held Him and His work in suspicion! The Master's parable of two debtors will be necessary for Simon and his guest before they could understand Jesus' ministry unto all sinners. Observe,
1. Jesus was always willing to eat with the people. Simon, a Pharisee, invited the Lord to join him for dinner. The Lord accepted his invitation. Christians, too, ought to be men and women of hospitality to one another. Consider,
