CULDEE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DR. JOSEPH WASHBURN MAY 21, 2017 LUKE 7:36-50 WOMEN OF THE BIBLE: THE UNNAMED SINNER

Transcription

1 CULDEE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DR. JOSEPH WASHBURN MAY 21, 2017 LUKE 7:36-50 WOMEN OF THE BIBLE: THE UNNAMED SINNER SO WHAT: While she is not even given a name, the unnamed sinner in Luke 7 offers us some important lessons in our lives of faith. She recognizes that she is a sinner in need of forgiveness and that Jesus is the only way to find that forgiveness! Two weeks ago we began a sermon series that explores some of the great people of faith in the Bible. As you may remember, during the month of May we are exploring women in the Bible and in June we will turn our focus towards some of the men of faith in the Bible. During this series I hope we learn something about the particular person we are studying while also learning something about living a life of faith. During our first week we explored Hannah, the mother of Samuel who in the midst of the depth of her struggle with being barren, came before God in prayer, which demonstrated her faithfulness. Last Sunday we explored Timothy s grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice, who demonstrated the importance of passing on and teaching the faith through both instruction, or witnessing, and of demonstrating that faith through their manner of living. Today we turn our attention to what might be considered an odd choice I say odd because in many ways she is not considered very important. In fact, she is so insignificant that she is not even given a name but the lessons of faith she demonstrates are invaluable. 1

2 So, let us briefly recap the story. A Pharisee, named Simon, invites Jesus to his house for dinner. An uninvited woman, with a reputation for being a sinner, shows up and begins anointing Jesus feet with a mixture of perfume and her tears. While the Pharisee is rather shocked that Jesus permits this, given the woman s known sins, Jesus in turn forgives the woman and lifts her up as an example of love for him. Now, let us understand some of the customs of the day. To invite someone for dinner was a very important social act of hospitality for which there were clearly defined rules and expectations. First, understand that the roads in Palestine were not paved nor were they cobbled. They were basically dirt roads and quite dusty add to that the latest footwear fashion would have been sandals or even bare feet and you can imagine how caked with dirt and dust a traveler s foot would have been. So, it was customary that before entering someone s house the host would offer a basin in which their guest could wash their feet. While their feet would get caked with dirt and dust, a person s hair would also get quite grimy so upon entering a house a guest would be offered olive oil with which to freshen up. It was also customary that whenever a guest would enter a house they would receive, and share, from the host, a kiss on each cheek. Now, I don t know about you, but whenever we have company over for dinner, typically only those invited show up. But in the Palestinian culture that was not the case. You see, it was not 2

3 unusual for uninvited guests to show up and stand around the perimeter of the banquet table in order to be noticed or, particularly in the case of a Rabbi being the guest of honor, to listen in on their teaching. So, as Jesus reclines at the table with Simon and whatever other guests may have been present, this woman a woman with no name enters and stands behind Jesus. As soon as she does, Simon the Pharisee, recognizes her due to her reputation. She is described as a woman in the city, who was a sinner. In all likelihood, she was a prostitute definitely not a person regarded highly in polite society. And while it was not uncommon for uninvited guests to crowd around the perimeter of the table to hear a Rabbi speak, it would have been unthinkable and outrageous for a prostitute to do so. This was a scandal of the highest kind! So, what is so important about this unimportant and unnamed woman? First, she did what the Pharisee who prided himself on following the law and customs of the day did not do. While Simon failed to provide Jesus with a basin to wash his feet in, this woman bathed his feet with her tears. While Simon failed to provide olive oil for Jesus to use to freshen up or to use it to anoint Jesus head, this woman used her very expensive perfume which likely cost her much of her savings to anoint Jesus feet. And while Simon neglected to greet Jesus with the customary kiss, this woman did not stop 3

4 kissing Jesus feet. In contrast to the Pharisee who failed at the basic expectations of hospitality, this woman of little or no worth according to society was extravagant in her welcoming of Jesus. But these acts by this woman were about more than hospitality they were also acts of humility and faith. She knew her reputation; she knew that when most people looked at her all they saw was a prostitute a sinner. She knew that she was seen as an outcast. She knew that most folks would just as soon she not be in their presence. And yet she walked into that dinner party at a Pharisee s home. In doing so she opened herself up to ridicule and insults. And we see this come true with Simon s thoughts he was shocked that if Jesus were indeed a prophet, as he claimed, that he would allow this woman near him or to touch him since she was a sinner. But this woman humbled herself because she had heard the stories of Jesus; she knew that on her own she had no worth and that she could not overcome her sin but that through Jesus she would find value, worth, and forgiveness. She trusted that Jesus would not turn her away because of her past she trusted that Jesus would make her a new creation. Jesus says to this woman a sinner and outcast Your sins are forgiven. Four little words but four little words that have a tremendous impact on this woman. As one commentator stated, Every demeaning, dishonest, and 4

5 immoral act that this woman of the city, this prostitute, had committed, was totally cleansed from her record when the Son of God said, Your sins are forgiven. She entered that dinner party a sinner and outcast she left redeemed and a member of the family of God. I think it is significant that this woman is not given a name. You see, we are not so much to see her as a specific and particular person rather, we are to see her as ourselves. She represents all of us every single person that has ever been, is now, or ever will be. All of us here no matter who you are are like this woman of the city. All of us are sinners. Regardless of what we may think of ourselves we sin regularly and need to be forgiven. And like this woman of the city, we cannot forgive ourselves. None of us deserve forgiveness none of us deserve God s love. But just like this woman Jesus stands ready to forgive us. In fact, he is calling us to himself! Let us respond to his call and humbly come before him laying our sins at the foot of his cross and hear him say to us, Your sins are forgiven. As we confess our sins each day, let him recreate us into redeemed children of God, celebrating the new life we have been given. Let us pray 5