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Luke

Extravagant Love: The Woman, The Pharisee & Jesus

Speaker

Pastor Troy Ingersoll

Date Published

Scripture: Luke 7:36–50

Topic: Forgiveness, Hospitality, and Extravagant Worship

I. Announcements & Special Music

  • Prayer Needs: Please consult the prayer list available at the altar rail.
  • Weekly Events: Sunday School (9:30 AM), Wednesday Bible Study in Acts with Jason Fletcher (6:30 PM), Choir Practice (Sundays at 4:00 PM).
  • Upcoming Events:
    • Movie Night: Friday, January 23rd at 5:00 PM. Spaghetti provided; please bring sides and desserts.
    • Concert: Saturday, January 31st at 6:00 PM. Glendale Baptist Church is hosting The Listers.
  • Church Business: The church voted to extend Deacon Bob Ramsey’s service term for an additional year.
  • Special Music: Brother Jack shared two original songs, "My God Cannot Be Seen" (inspired by Romans 1:20) and "There's Power" (inspired by Philippians 4 and 2 Peter).

II. Introduction: Routines and Hospitality

  • The Daily Routine: Most of us operate on a routine—coffee, medication, watching the news, walking the dog. It creates a sense of normalcy.
  • Preparing for Guests: When we host, we shift gears. For a wedding, we might paint the whole house; for a casual visit, we just dust.
  • Cultural Greetings: Hospitality looks different around the world:
    • India: Flowers and candles.
    • Russia: Bread (prosperity) and Salt (preserving friendship).
    • Ethiopia: Coffee served with the right hand.
    • New Zealand (Maori): Touching foreheads/noses (the breath of life).
    • Biblical Context: In Jesus' time, removing shoes and washing feet was standard hospitality due to dirt roads and sandals.

III. The Setting: The Pharisee’s House (Luke 7:36-38)

  • The Invitation: Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus. Simon was likely inquisitive about this new teacher, though skeptical.
  • Reclining at the Table: In this culture, guests did not sit in chairs; they reclined with feet directed away from the table.
  • The Uninvited Guest: A "woman of the city" (known for a sinful life) entered the courtyard.
  • The Gift: She brought an alabaster jar of perfume—an expensive, premeditated gift. She wasn't just stopping by; she came with a purpose to worship.

IV. The Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:39-43)

  • Simon’s Judgment: Simon watched the woman weeping, wetting Jesus' feet, and wiping them with her hair. He thought, "If this man were a prophet, he would know... she is a sinner."
  • Jesus’ Response: Jesus, knowing Simon's thoughts, tells a story of two debtors:
    • One owed 500 denarii.
    • One owed 50 denarii.
    • Both were forgiven because they could not pay.
  • The Question: "Which of them will love him more?"
  • The Answer: The one who was forgiven more.

V. True Hospitality vs. Religious Ritual (Luke 7:44-47)

  • The Comparison: Jesus turns to the woman but speaks to Simon, highlighting Simon's lack of hospitality:
    • Simon gave no water for feet; she washed them with tears.
    • Simon gave no kiss of greeting; she kissed His feet ceaselessly.
    • Simon gave no oil; she poured expensive perfume.
  • Three Lessons from Her Love:
    1. It was Spontaneous: She didn't overthink protocol; she acted on her love for God.
    2. It was Passionate: She gave 100%, ignoring social stigma.
    3. It was Personal: She used her own hair and her own possessions (the alabaster jar).

VI. Conclusion: Faith and Forgiveness

  • Validation: Jesus publicly validated the woman. He looked at her and spoke to her, restoring her dignity in a room of people who ignored her.
  • The Result: "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
  • The Challenge: Are we like Simon, sitting in judgment and relying on our routine righteousness? Or are we like the woman, recognizing our brokenness and pouring out everything at the feet of Jesus?
  • Final Thought: Whoever has been forgiven little, loves little. But those who understand the depth of His grace love much.

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