Savior, Sinner, Self-righteous

Luke 7:36–50 (ESV): One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “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.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Savior -

Sinner -

Self-righteous - Love

Application to Consider:

1. Sin separates us from God. Jesus restores us to a loving Father, and through him our sins are forgiven. Our response to Jesus needs to be like the woman in this story. Giving all of ourselves to him and offering everything to him in response to the debt he paid for us. What does this look like in your life? Is this something you struggle with? Changing this is something that takes time but start small. If there is something hindering your relationship with God remove it. If there is something you value more than God give it to Him. A response like this woman had begins when we submit all things to Him.

2. Do you struggle with self-righteousness? If we are being honest, we all struggle with this at times. Pray that God would draw you close to Him, and continue to reveal Himself to you, and continue to reveal your need for Him. We have said it many times here in light of who God is and who we are the only response we can have when faced with that truth is worship.

3. Pray God would continue to revel your sin to you and your need for forgiveness. The reason the woman in this passage responded the way she did is because she had a proper view of her sin. If we do not see our sin, it is easy to believe we are better that we really are, more in control that we really are, and independent. All of these are lies that sin tries to get us to believe. We need constant reminding of our sin, forgiveness, and deep need for Jesus.