Your Faith is Embarrassing Luke 7:36-50

Some of us have been Christians for a good while; others are just starting out. What is the most extravagant thing you have done for the Lord? I remember a few months after I got saved, a group of street preachers invited me to share the gospel like they did. I did, but I must confess it didn’t sit well with me. Maybe you have been in a situation, or have done things, that others would never imagine ever doing for the sake of your love for Jesus.

All four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, speak of women who anointed Jesus with an alabaster flask. There are 3 examples: Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany – sister to Martha and Lazarus and then there was this woman mentioned by Luke. They are three different occasions: different settings and places.

Some background. Jesus had just healed a young man in the town of Nain – open casket.… as He would do for a 12yo girl and Lazarus who was more than in a coffin, but in the grave for 4 days. Jesus had touched the casket and the boy sat up and started speaking.

John the Baptist, who was in prison, sent his disciples to Jesus and asked are you the One to come. Jesus told John’s disciples that they should report back. He said (verse 22), ““Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

This would comfort John because he would have known what the prophet Isaiah said of the Messiah in Isaiah 61:1-2, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour.”

Then Jesus explained the difference between John and Himself. John came not eating at people’s houses, he was in the wilderness, didn’t drink wine, didn’t hang out with publicans, tax collectors or other sinners. His ministry was simply to proclaim repentance and holiness. Yet the Pharisees said, “He has a demon.” (verse 33)

Jesus said I have come eating and drinking and yet you say, “'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (verse 34) Jesus said while this is always going to be the case, He said in verse 35, “Yet wisdom is justified by all her children." Or in other words, you know them by their fruit. We all reap what we sow. Hypocrisy breeds a critical Spirit while grace and truth bring freedom and peace.

It's in that context, with that immediate background, that we enter our story with this woman at Simon the Pharisees house. Jesus was an honoured guest. Some Pharisees, like Simon here and of course Nicodemus before him, wanted to get a closer view and understanding of who Jesus was. Simon therefore invited Jesus into his home for lunch. These were not private affairs.

This woman burst on the scene – immediately falling at Jesus feet weeping. All were watching this – you can imagine a very long awkward silence. This stuff was embarrassing, not proper; in fact, shameless. Many tears to the point where she had to wipe those tears with the immediate thing available – her long hair. As if this wasn’t enough of a scene, she then kissed His feet with open abandon, not caring who was there. To top it off, she opened the alabaster flask around her neck and poured the contents on Jesus’ feet.

The fragrant oil was probably olive oil mixed with myrrh and frankincense, much like what was given as gifts at Christ’s entry into this world by the wise men. Here she is simply called “a sinner” pouring out the contents on His feet and the aroma filling the house. There was a long silence, but there were thoughts going on. Ever been in that place, you know what other people are thinking? Well Jesus knew that reality perfectly in every setting.

Simon was weighing up theology (verse 39), “"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." Simon knew this woman, seen her in town; the term sinner would likely mean a prostitute.

Jesus however was weighing the heart. Jesus did in fact know who this woman was. In fact, he said, “her sins are many.” He knew exactly who she was and what she’d done. Jesus’ focus is on Simon. Rather than rebuke the woman or stop what she was doing, Jesus simply said (verse 40), “"Simon, I have something to say to you." When Jesus calls you by name it’s important one way or another. Simon answered, “"Say it, Teacher." This is important because Jesus had something to say to Simon directly and Simon was happy for all to hear – this is an encouraging sign.

Actions speak louder than words – note this woman is not recorded as saying anything. It was just her undeniable act of extravagant worship and devotion that was on abundant display. Not caring who was there or what they were thinking, only that she was worshipping with her whole heart, mind and body at the feet of Jesus. Jesus “said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? …. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven---for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (verses 44-47)

Jesus affirmed her abundant faith…she loved much. Simon loved little and out of his abundance. She was likely pouring out a good amount of her life savings on the feet of Jesus.

Jesus had just given Simon a very practical lesson on the story of how people criticised both Him and John the Baptist for just before Simon invited Him to lunch. Jesus was “a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” The point Jesus was making to Simon is – we are all sinners. Some of us see our sin more than others and as such we are more devoted to Jesus outwardly than others.

Faith is observable in actions, not always words.

Look how Jesus finished this encounter at Simon’s place. She was bold with Him, so He was bold with her. He said to her (verse 48-50), "Your sins are forgiven." "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Jesus revealed Himself as not only the Messiah, God Himself. Only God can forgive sin. Jesus said if you declare my name before man, I will declare your name before the Father.

Here Jesus declared Himself as the God who forgives sinners: the very thing that would cost Him His life. This woman laid down all her inhibitions before Jesus and others and Jesus responded by telling her directly that her sins are forgiven and that she is saved, and to go in peace. What greater peace is there than knowing without any doubt that you are an inheritor of heaven? Jesus gave that assurance to a number of people, including the thief on the cross and this woman.