On Love Forgiveness of Sin and Faith; 愛, 罪的赦免和信仰
6/13/10 Sermon by Rev. Rong-Hu Lu translated by Ray Huang
On Love, Forgiveness of Sin and Faith
Luke 7:36-50
Jesus Christ had clearly declared that the purpose of his coming to earth is to preach God’s forgiveness and salvation. Also to make all the men know that God is love and further, though Jesus, people can receive God’s grace.
New Testament records that Jesus went throughout Israel at that time, even reached the Gentile area, to preach Gospel of the kingdom. No matter rich, pool, righteous or sinner, he was willing to preach gospel to people who didn’t repulse him, and ate with them as friends.
Jesus had been criticized for eating with Levi, a tax collector. However, He didn’t mind and said to them “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.” Then, Levi became one of Jesus’ disciples.
However, Jesus not only made friends with sinners or nobodies but also with somebody like Nicodemus, a member of Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council), was a disciple of Jesus and has secretly asked Jesus for advice. Nicodemus also buried Jesus’ body.
In today’s scripture, Simon, one of the Pharisees, invited Jesus to have dinner with him. At that time Pharisees were the conscious of the society, which is the protector and teacher of the belief in God and the exemplar of the believers.
Because Luke didn’t mention, we’re not able to know what kind of village or town Simon lived in. However, we can image that it is probably a small place. A woman living in this town is a sinner. Generally the Bible scholars thought she is a prostitute. Because even Simon knew she is a prostitute, we might perceive that: first, it’s a small town; second, only few prostitutes lived there. Therefore, she definitely heard Jesus’ gracious words and was deeply touched when Jesus preached there.
Mathew chapter 11 has a similar background with today’s scripture. In the end of Mathew chapter 11 Jesus said out loud “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
In 1st century, Palestine was a pool area. To be a prostitute is not for making easy money. I believe she had no choice. She must felt painful, helpless and restless. Jesus’ words gave her great consolation and salvation. No wonder, she was eager to express her gratitude to him.
We have no idea why Simon invited Jesus. Perhaps he had already planned to hold a dinner event with his friends. And Jesus who was beginning to become famous as a Rabbi happened to preach in his town so Simon invited him. It showed his hospitality, and at the same time he can test Jesus. Therefore, although he invited Jesus, he ignored Jesus. No water for Jesus’ feet; no kiss and hug; no pouring oil on Jesus’ head: those basic greeting.
I believe Jesus must sit down at the lowest place and feel free and relaxed as what he taught to his disciple. That’s the reason this woman was able to stand behind Jesus immediately after she arrived. People of the upper and middle class at that time followed the ancient Greek/Roman way of dining: lying on the ground by their left arm and use right hand to take foods to eat. Also they will take off sandals and put it behind their feet. That’s why the woman can wet Jesus’ feet with her tears.
Fans usually have some unreasonable reactions toward their idols. Some of them will scream and bounce once they hear or see their idols. It’s enough to make them burst into tear of joy if they can touch their idols’ clothes. There must be thousands of his fans following Jesus to listen to his preach according to the miracle of feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes. But Jesus’ fans were rational, not as crazy as current fans. They appreciated and had enthusiasm on listening to the gracious words that came from Jesus’ lips. Mathew also wrote down “the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
We don’t know which one of Jesus’ words touched the woman’s heart. But we know “repentance, forgiveness of sins and God is eager to find people to reconcile.” is the heart of Gospel. Jesus appealed that “Believe in me. Whoever though me can enter the kingdom of God to have rest and eternal life.” When the woman stood behind him, these gracious words kept resounding in her heart, within her soul. She experienced the joy and the appreciation due to the dismissal of her debts and sins in front of Lord’s mercy seat. Thus, she can’t help weeping.
To express her greatest gratitude and love, she unfastened her hairs, and then kneeled down to wipe Jesus’ feet with her hairs, kissed them and poured precious perfume on them, just like servants serving masters. Perhaps owning to the fragrance of the perfume Simon noticed her and then, due to her occupation, Simon questioned that Jesus isn’t a prophet. Because of these, our Lord Jesus gave Simon a contextual education.
First, Jesus said to him “two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him 500 coins, and the other 50. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. “Now which of them will love him more?” Jesus asked. Simon replied correctly “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled. Using his correct judgment, Jesus explained to Simon the spiritual lesson of forgiveness, love and faith. Our Lord said “therefore, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much.” Is that true? Indeed, she expressed her greatest love and respect to our Lord Jesus. But, did she get the forgiveness from Jesus Christ because of her behavior? Roman Catholic Church which emphasizes on benefaction and behavior considers “yes!” However, among Jesus’ question, the debts of both debtors have been cancelled. In addition, Jesus asked “which of them will love him most?” not “which of them loved him most?”
Let’s see verse 47. Our Lord said “he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly declared that how much a person loving God comes from how big the forgiveness he or she thinks he or she receives. In other words, who considers that he or she is good enough and forgiveness is unnecessary will neither think God is lovable nor love him much. The parable of the lost son can help us to further understand this point. The lost son who has been forgiven said to his father that he’s willing to serve his father as one of his father’s hire men. While his old brother who considers himself dutiful was angry at his father and does not want to share his father’s joy only because his father never gave him a lamb so he could celebrate with his friends.
Second, although we no longer hear this kind of assurance that Jesus said to her “your sins are forgiven”, it can be testified that the joy of the forgiveness of sins can be experienced because the Holy Spirit given from God is living in us.
Third, the principle on which forgiveness was granted to the woman was faith, not love. Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Before she met Jesus, she believed in every word Jesus preached when she first time heard the Lord Jesus’ good news. She believed all these words are true and will be to her as what Jesus has said. This faith let her feel that her sins have been forgiven. Also this kind of feeling urged her to go to Simon’s home to express such great love to the Lord Jesus. Our Lord approved and accepted her love and encouraged her and told her that her faith was correct. The faith of the grace she gave to Jesus has saved her and she was able to live in peace. This is the good news that the Lord Jesus not only gave to her but also gives to us.