Sitting @ The Feet Of Jesus: We Find Grace Series

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.