Jesus Is Invited By A Pharisee Series

Jesus is invited by a Pharisee

Luke 7:36-50

Invitations, Part 5

Introduction

- On the heels of our Advent study, we continue with our Invitations series

- It is important that you and I understand the power of an invitation

-- Whether it’s an invitation to a ballgame, to a BBQ, or even to church

-- Everything we do starts with an invitation to be a part of something else

- Inviting someone to be a part of what you’re doing says several things to them:

1) What you have going on is important

2) What you are a part of is enjoyable to you, and,

3) What you do is worth their time to check out (at least once)

- Contrast: If we won’t invite others, what does that say about what we do?

- Let’s start with a short video that demonstrates this …

http://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/church-invite-5492-detail.asp

∆ Video for Sermon Series

- Inviting someone really doesn’t have to be hard, or even complicated

-- But for them, what you invite them too can forever change their lives

- Read Luke 7:36-50

- In our passage we see several different storylines going on:

1) Jesus has been invited to a dinner party

2) A woman has come to see Jesus at this party

3) Jesus teaches a parable about forgiveness and grace, and,

4) A Pharisee’s dinner party gets shook up because God showed up

- Let’s examine this story closer to see a wonderful invitation presented to us

- Pray

∆ Point 1 – A woman comes to see Jesus at dinner

- While attending a dinner party, a well-known woman comes to see Jesus

- We know that she is well known just by the context of the narrative about her

-- In v37 we see that the town obviously knew she lived a sinful life

- The Greek word choice points to the word “unchastity”

-- Literally, she led a sinful life of sexual suggestiveness, transgression, or excess

- Additionally, she was known as a hamartōlos (one who commits sin)

-- RE: The word for sin is hamartia, archery, which means “to miss the mark”

- But, knowing her own life, she has come to a place where she wants to change

-- APP: When we come face to face with Christ, we are presented with the same

-- IMP: Will we repent of our sin, or continue to willfully disobey God?

- Her knowledge of herself leads to weeping, uncontrollable sorrow about herself

-- Why? She knew herself - and here before her is God’s son, her redeemer

-- Now, she may not have “known” Jesus … but her spirit certainly knew it

-- John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them”

-- APP: She was moved to come to Jesus; b/c He has everything that she needs

- In her condition, she brings with her a fortune in offerings (penitent heart)

-- APP: Sometimes when we don’t know what to do … we want to give as well

-- IMP: As she stood weeping (v38), her reaction was one of worship

- As she does this, the Pharisee makes a rude comment (v39)

-- “If Jesus was so smart, he would know what kind of filth this woman is”

- Can’t you just hear the condemnation and disgust in the words?

-- NOTE: This woman doesn’t need to know how bad she is; she already knows

-- She doesn’t need this man’s ridicule to confirm her life’s choices

-- But in her sin and shame, she has been drawn to the One who can heal her

- But Jesus addresses this situation with a parable for all to hear

-- Some may think this would be a bit aloof, but there is a lesson for the room

- TRANS: Let’s see what the parable displays for us

∆ Point 2 – A parable of forgiveness

- Re-read v40-43

- Jesus identifies the Pharisee, his name is Simon

-- Note: He is not talking to the Disciple Simon (aka Peter); but the Pharisee

-- If so, that would have been rude, which the Pharisee’s would’ve pounced on

-- “Oh, I see, say something He doesn’t like and He won’t even answer …”

- “Simon … let me ask you something.” “Go ahead, teacher.” (KJV: “Master”)

-- Considering the Pharisee’s position, Jesus begins to tell a story of two debtors

- The debts are both within human range and probably would be common

-- One owes 500 denarii (about a day’s wage) and the other owes just 50 denarii

-- Each of these people cannot pay what they owe to their debtor (v41)

-- Jesus then says, “… since they cannot repay, both the debts are forgiven”

-- So, tell me, which one would be more grateful to have their debt paid?