Sitting at the Feet of Jesus: We find Grace
Luke 7:36 – 50
A man walks into a small antique shop in San Francisco. It’s mostly cluttered with knickknacks and junk. The man notices on the floor what looks like an ancient Chinese vase. On closer inspection it turns out to be a priceless relic from the Ming dynasty whose value is beyond calculating. It is worth everything else in the store put together. The owner clearly has no idea about the value of this possession, because it’s filled with milk and the cat’s drinking out of it.
The man sees the opportunity for the deal of a lifetime. He cleverly strategizes a method to obtain the vase for a fraction of its worth. “That’s an extraordinary cat you have, how much would your sell her for?”
“Oh, the cat’s not really for sale,” said the owner. “She keeps the store free of mice.” “I really must have her,” the man countered. “Tell you what – I’ll give you a hundred dollars for her.”
“She’s not really worth it,” laughed the owner, “but if you want her that badly, she’s yours.” “I need something to feed her from as well,” continued the man. “Let me throw in another ten dollars for the saucer she’s drinking out of.”
“Oh, I could never do that. The saucer is actually an ancient Chinese vase from the Ming dynasty. It is my prized possession, whose worth is beyond calculation. Funny thing, though; since we’ve had it, I’ve sold seventeen cats.”
A material object may have great material value, but what value can you put on a person. Jesus placed great value on everyone regardless of their socio economic standing in the community. One thing that most amazes me, in the American church today is so many have forgotten just how gracious God has been in their lives.
It is expressed in the way we perceive others. Unfortunately it is demonstrated in our actions towards those who are engaging in sinful activity. As if somehow, they are unworthy of the grace that we have experienced by faith in Christ. This morning we are going to continue our series of messages entitled, “Sitting at the feet of Jesus, this morning we will see that we find grace at the feet of Jesus.” God’s Amazing grace!
Luke 7:36 – 50
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
1. Humbly sitting at the feet of Jesus (vv.36 – 38)
a. A sinful woman
i. What a designation.
ii. Which of us would want to be identified in such a manner?
1. Somehow her reputation preceded her presence.
2. Those about her knew who she was and what she had done (SIN)
a. It is a shame that when folks look at others they see them for their failures, mistakes, and misdeeds.
b. It happens in our day just as it did in Jesus’
b. A humble woman
i. She came to the Pharisees house seeking Jesus.
1. She is not a welcome guest at the home of the Pharisee
2. She is not a welcome guest at the home of the Pharisee
a. He did not invite her.
b. She was taking advantage of the custom of that day that permitted the poor and destitute to sit on the fringe of a meal so that when the guests were done eating they may have some of the leftovers.
i. This sinful woman saw a window of opportunity.
ii. An opportunity to encounter Christ.
ii. She wanted to offer up something of great value to Jesus.
1. It is not known why she came to Jesus, simply that she wanted to offer up to Him something of great value to her.
2. As she enters into the presence of Christ, she begins to weep and worship.
a. Tears falling from her eyes.
b. Perfume lovingly poured out.
c. Gently kissing Jesus’ feet over and over.
d. Then she began to wash His feet with her hair.
Her actions are in stark contrast to that of Simon the Pharisee as we will discover.
2. Smugly sitting in the presence of Jesus (v. 39)
a. Simon invited Jesus to His home
i. Yet he failed to treat Him like a guest.
ii. He failed to extend to Jesus the common courtesies of his day towards a guest.
b. Simon’s smug estimation of Jesus.
i. Surely He isn’t a prophet, look who He is allowing to touch Him.
ii. She’s a sinner
1. Simon forgets that he too is a sinner.
2. He himself does not deserve to be in the presence of Jesus.
3. He does not deserve to be at the table with Christ.
a. No one deserves to be in the presence of the Lord because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
b. That is what is so amazing about God’s grace, He calls us who don’t deserve to enter into His presence, not only to be with Him, but to be His sons and daughters.
iii. Simon’s sets himself up as judge.
1. He judges Jesus He’s no prophet
2. He judges this woman She is a sinful woman.
3. Aren’t you glad this morning, that God will not judge us to the end of our days here on earth?
a. Now for those of you who are lost in sin, it means there is still time to make things right with God, don’t keep putting Him off though.
b. For those who believe, understand that we will all stand before Christ and give an account of our actions, attitudes, and our lives, but thank God we stand before His throne of grace knowing the grace that He has extended to us, is sufficient.
c. Simon’s smug estimation of the woman touching Jesus
i. She is a sinner!
ii. When Simon looks upon this woman all he can see is someone who has sinned!
1. When Simon looks upon this woman he sees someone outside the realm of God’s grace, and in his mind she is to be avoided, ignored, and unwelcomed.
a. Avoided – because who wants to associate themselves with sinners? only Jesus.
b. Ignored – we ignore that which in most cases we are ignorant about.
i. We ignore those who are different
ii. We ignore those we feel deserve to be where they are.
iii. We ignore those we feel we have little to nothing in common with.
c. Unwelcomed – those he felt did not deserve God’s grace and forgiveness.
2. If we are not careful we can develop this same smug attitude towards sinners.
a. Who do we avoid because of their lifestyle? – Jesus died for them.
b. Who do we ignore because of their lifestyle? - Jesus died for them.
c. Who feels unwelcome in our church because of our actions or inaction towards them? -- Jesus died for them.
A picture of God’s grace…
3. A Parable of indebtedness (vv.40 -43)
a. Two men owed a debt
i. Jesus is not teaching here that one sin is greater than another.
ii. The parable is about indebtedness.
b. Neither had the money to pay for their debt
i. They owed a debt they could not pay.
ii. No matter what they could do to make things right, it was beyond their means to make things right.
c. The moneylender canceled both men’s debt.
i. Only the person, to whom the debt was owed, could cancel the debt.
ii. To forgive such a debt is an act of grace.
1. They could not earn His grace.
2. They could not do enough for Him to earn His grace.
d. Which of these men will love him more?
i. Understanding the level of indebtedness and how much was forgiven, prompts a response of love.
ii. The more we understand the debt we owe, the more we know what has been forgiven, the more likely we are to respond in love towards the one who extends us His grace.
1. If you have come this morning indebted to the Savior, you can leave here this morning debt free.
2. For those who have experienced God’s grace and your debt has been paid, how well are you loving the one who has forgiven your sins?
a. It all depends on your understanding of how much you owe the Savior for all that you have done.
b. It all depends upon your attitude towards Christ and His graciousness to you.
e. A correct answer that convicts.
i. Simon answers correctly!
ii. The one, whom understands the magnitude of their debt and the amazing grace that has been extended to them, will love the moneylender most.
iii. Sometimes we know the answers we simply do not live like we do!
1. Simply knowing what we ought to do is not enough!
2. We must apply what we know and live it!
3. That is the point that Jesus makes with Simon.
a. Simon is no different than this woman he too owed a debt he could not pay.
b. However, his attitude towards his indebtedness is reflected both in how he treats Jesus and how he treats this woman.
A sinful woman’s response to Christ…
4. Expressions of worship and welcome (vv. 44 – 46)
a. This sinful woman comes to Jesus in humility.
Psalm 51:17
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
i. Tears falling from her eyes.
1. These are tears or remorse, or sorrow, she is coming to Jesus truly sorry for what she has done.
2. This woman understands her sinfulness, and she comes to Christ with a repentant attitude.
a. She is broken before the Lord.
b. When was the last time you came to the Lord broken, truly demonstrating remorse for an improper action or attitude.
ii. Gently kissing Jesus’ feet over and over.
1. The kiss was used in ancient times as the emblem of love, religious reverence, subjection, and supplication.(Adam Clarkes Commentary)
2. Kissing the feet was practiced also among the heathens / sinful, to express subjection of spirit, and earnest supplication. (Adam Clarkes Commentary)
3. Her actions demonstrated her submission to Christ.
a. In order for us to experience the life that God has called us to as believers we must be willing to submit our lives to Him.
i. To His will.
ii. To His commands
iii. To His purpose and plans for our lives.
b. Have you submitted your life fully to Jesus Christ, or are you still living part of it for yourself.
i. Jesus either has all of you, or He has none of you.
ii. You are either allowing Christ to be the Lord of your life, or you are missing the mark in what God has called you to be.
iii. Perfume lovingly poured out.
1. This perfume was of great value!
2. However, she poured it out upon the feet of Jesus.
a. No matter what the value of the perfume was, it failed to compare to the value of who Jesus is.
b. She was willing to surrender her earthly treasure to His eternal majesty.
3. I will suggest this morning, this was an act of worship, and she emptied her treasure to receive the real treasure.
iv. Then she began to wash His feet with her hair.
1. To wash one’s feet was to take on the role of a servant.
2. This woman is serving Christ in humility acknowledging Him as her Lord.
a. Over the course of time foot washing within the church has diminished.
b. Even though, Christ told His disciples to follow His example.
c. I will suggest the problem today is we have a real problem with humility and becoming as a servant.
i. This morning are you serving Christ?
ii. What in your life points to a life of service and humility?
iii. Far too many have become self serving rather than Christ serving.
b. Through all that she did she demonstrates that Christ is welcome in her life.
i. Through all that Simon did and failed to do, he demonstrated that Christ was unwelcome in his life.
ii. How about you this morning, do your actions and attitudes demonstrate that Christ is welcome in your life?
In response to this woman’s humility and acceptance …
5. Grace extended (vv. 48 – 50)
47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
a. Jesus extends His grace to this woman
i. Why because of her humility in coming to Him.
ii. Because of her acceptance of who He is
iii. Because she was willing to demonstrate remorse for her sinfulness.
b. Jesus welcomes the one who welcomes Him
i. This woman’s actions demonstrated what was to be expected of the one who invited another into their home.
ii. Because she welcomed Jesus through all that she did, He welcomed her into the family of God.
c. Contrast between eyes that see and ears that hear and those that do not.
i. This “sinful woman” could see Jesus for who He was.
ii. Those about her, sitting at the table, seen her actions, heard the parable, and missed the Savior.
1. They had eyes to see – but could not see.
2. They had ears to hear – but they did not listen.
a. Yes, Jesus was able to forgive sins, and everyone at that table had sinned and needed God’s grace and forgiveness!
b. Yet only this sinful woman came to Christ if faith, and received forgiveness and grace.
d. This woman can go in peace, because she is it at peace with God.
i. This morning, we will you be able to leave this place as that woman did?
ii. At peace with God – with your debt of sin forgiven?
***Prayer ****
For those who are here this morning who need to embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the grace and forgiveness that was extended to this woman is available to you. You simply have to:
• Come to Jesus in faith, believing in who He is and what He has done to pay the price for sin.
• Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
• Humbly invite Him into your life
• Commit to serving Him as Lord of your life - that is surrender your life to His will, His word, and His purpose for your life.
For those of you who are Christians, the questions I would pose to you…
• How do you see those about you who are caught up in sin? Do you need to come this morning and ask Jesus to adjust your eyes so that you might see others as He does?
• For those who have experienced God’s grace and your debt has been paid, how much are you loving the one who has paid your debt and forgiven your sins?
These altars are open, they are a place where we can simply enter into the presence of Christ and experience His grace, forgiveness, and goodness. Yet we must be willing to acknowledge our need for Him in our lives and overcome our fear of what others think, would you come this morning?
