"Faiths Sweet Fragrance"

Faiths Sweet Fragrance

Luke 7:36-50 MSG

36-39 One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.”

40 Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Oh? Tell me.”

41-42 “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”

43-47 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”

“That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

48 Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.”

49 That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: “Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!”

50 He ignored them and said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

How many of you… When a major event takes place in your life that is a memorable experience, you remember it?

Especially when the outcome was favorable to the situation that you were facing in your life!

Isn't it funny how a fragrance or a certain smell can bring memories flooding back to your mind.

There are two different accounts of an alabaster box and perfume being used to anoint and poured out on Jesus in the Bible.

One who involves Mary the sister of Lazarus, which is mentioned in the other three Gospels

and is recorded as a memorial of extravagance that is to be remembered for all time.

Both are criticized, one for the value of the precious ointment and what it could have been sold for and done for the poor.

And the other for the value of forgiveness that was given to someone who others felt was unworthy to receive such a great gift.

The woman here was forgiven of many sins, but her name is not given.

While Mary of Bethany possessed insight as to the upcoming death of Christ,

the woman of Luke had no such insight; she exhibited just loving worship of the One who forgave her of her sins.

There certainly are many similarities in these incidents that have caused some confusion, one of which is the presence of an alabaster box.

TBS.(the bible says) He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table.

If there was anyone who wasn't worthy to be in the presence of Jesus it would've been this Pharisee...

probably the only reason that he had invited him over to his house was to try to glean more incriminating evidence on JESUS.

Jesus wasn't at his home because of the relationship that he had with him... It was purely political in nature.

On the other hand... This woman's reputation proceeded her.

By her own actions or those of others... She no doubt had been the object of gossip for a long long time.

And while many knew about The way of life she lived, the fact that her name is not mentioned

might give reason to believe...that many people may have only known her as that woman.

TBS. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.”

Such a hypocritical statement… One that a lot of people are guilty of making about someone else, on frequent occasions.

Well, did you see with so-and-so has been doing and to think they call themselves a Christian...

How could they even have the nerve to set foot in church...its a good thing mankind is not in charge of forgiveness. Amen??