Unexpected Series

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by your parents - in my house growing up homework was supposed to be done first before we could go outside. If you play on a sports team, your coach may have expectations for your diet or exercise or your effort.

Things seem to go smoothly when they happen according to expectations. But when the unexpected happens, we awaken from our stupor and are forced to take notice.

This week, we run into an experience where unexpected events become useful tools in Jesus’ capable hands.

Open your bibles to Luke 7. We will begin by looking at verses 36 and following.

Just after talking about the fact that Jesus was called a friend of tax collectors and sinners and a glutton and a drunkard, Luke shares a dining experience where Jesus is one of two…

Unexpected Guests (36-37)

It’s no secret that Jesus has already had several controversial encounters with the Pharisees. He’s never one to back down from an opportunity to engage with them. Now, one of them is welcoming an encounter with Jesus over a meal…

Luke 7:36 ESV

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

So, on one hand, with all of the controversy and debate that surrounded Jesus and the Pharisees, it seems odd that one of the Pharisees would invite Jesus for a meal. As a group, they had been questioning his actions and even testing the legality of His activities for months.

Luke doesn’t clue us into this man’s motives or intentions - he simply matter of factly discusses the invitation and Jesus’ acceptance.

But Jesus isn’t the only one there. It appears that there were several others at this meal (49). We don’t know who they are, but they are clearly expected.

But just as Jesus seemed to be an unexpected guest, there is another unexpected guest…

Luke 7:37 ESV

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,

Now, this seems quite odd to us. It seems like this woman is crashing the party. In some sense she is. But in their culture, with Jesus being a public figure, uninvited guests might be welcomed to listen in to the conversation. Maybe they would be standing around the perimeter of the room, observing, listening, learning.

In some ways, welcoming these people would be a way for a Pharisee to demonstrate the largess of his generosity through hospitality. This welcoming attitude was commanded in the law:

Leviticus 19:33–34 ESV

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Luke alerts us to the unexpected nature of her presence with the word “behold.” He is essentially telling us to carefully observe the fact that she is here.

So, not only are Jesus and this woman unexpected guests, albeit for different reasons, at this meal, but we also see that Jesus receives an…

Unexpected Reception (37-46)

Luke 7:37–46 ESV

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.