By Scott Bush, D.Min.
Executive Director, Ministry Training Institute, Samford University
MAKING OTHERS A PRIORITY
Luke 7:36–48
When my wife and I moved to our current home, we found that the previous owners had left a full-length mirror hanging on the wall in our bedroom. We planned to take it down, but then we learned that the mirror has a delightful quirk. Due to some defect, it makes the person standing before it appear to be much thinner than he or she actually is. We decided to keep the mirror for fun, but we also determined to never believe it.
Failure to see ourselves as we truly are can have serious consequences. In Luke 6, the chapter before today’s lesson, Jesus warns that a blind man who tries to lead another blind man will only injure himself and his follower. They’ll both fall into a pit! He compares the self-deceived person to a man with a log in his eye trying to remove a speck from the eye of another — hypocritical, deluded and dangerous.
In this week’s passage, Jesus encounters a man who is unaware of his need and a woman who is all too aware of hers. He shows compassion for both.
Reach out to the religious and arrogant. (36–39)
Jesus dined with a Pharisee named Simon in one of several meals recorded in Luke’s gospel. The Pharisees were very religious, priding themselves on knowing and keeping the law found in the Old Testament. They resented Jesus for many reasons, not least that He questioned whether their obedience was only an appearance and because He embraced people they thought were particularly unrighteous.
We don’t know why Simon invited Jesus to a meal, but we do know that the host failed to extend common courtesies and was secretly critical of his guest. Jesus knew exactly what Simon was thinking but, rather than reject Simon for his insolence and doubt, Jesus engaged him with a parable about forgiveness. Arrogant people can be the hardest to love and forgive because they don’t see their need for either. We often feel justified in avoiding such people but Jesus saw the need — even when Simon didn’t — and met it.
Point to God’s gracious forgiveness. (40–43)
When a disreputable woman entered the room and began to weep at Jesus’ feet, Simon was shocked. Jesus answered his unspoken cynicism with a parable about two debtors whose debts were forgiven.
Simon correctly responds that the one forgiven the greater debt will have the greater love for his benefactor. Jesus isn’t suggesting that Simon’s “debt” is less than the sinful woman’s. He’s trying to help Simon see his need for forgiveness and God’s willingness to forgive. When we see our need and how God has graciously met it, we will respond in love. Our lack of love reveals our blindness.
Reach out to the sinful. (44–48)
The woman kissed and anointed Jesus’ feet, which was her expression of love and worship. Her lavish devotion was a response to the great forgiveness she had received. As with the leper in chapter 5, Jesus’ contact with the sinful woman was scandalous to many in His day, but for those who follow Him, it’s a reminder that no one is beyond His reach or His love.
When we imagine that our sin is less serious than others, we’re only looking at a distorted image. When we truly see the depth of our sin and the cost of our redemption, we will love Him well and reach out to others who need to know His love.
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