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Luke 7:39-50
The Pharisee who had invited Jesus to dinner (Simon, not Simon Peter) has an attitude of questioning Jesus, as to interrogate Him. His attitude and heart are not welcoming and open to Jesus to receive Him as He is and to learn from Him. Jesus knows this, and He presents the situation to Simon in a way which will show him the condition of his own heart in comparison to the heart of the sinful woman.
The parable about the two debtors is to show that everyone is in need of forgiveness; we all have a debt to sin that we cannot pay. The woman had much sin of which everyone was aware. Simon, however, was able to hide his sin which was not evident to most people because he lived his life as a Pharisee, which in and of itself was considered a position of holiness.
The sinful woman presented herself to Jesus acknowledging her sin and the need for forgiveness. She washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and she wiped them with her hair, she was kissing the feet of Jesus in humility and respect to Him, she anointed Jesus with fragrant oil.
The sinful woman came to Jesus with a sincere, convicted heart that was prepared to receive forgiveness, and Jesus forgave her sins. Jesus also confirms in Luke 7:50 (NKJV), “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” The woman had faith in the saving power of Jesus to forgive her sins; the Pharisee did not.
This is an example of receiving salvation in Jesus.
This is an example of how one needs to prepare oneself to receive forgiveness through Jesus; with a humble, sincere heart that is welcoming to Jesus.
This is an example of a hardened heart in that of Simon the Pharisee which is not welcoming or aware of the need for forgiveness through Jesus.
Jesus says to the sinful woman in Luke 7:50, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” The sinful woman was saved by her faith in Jesus to forgive her sins. Jesus knows the true feelings of our hearts, and He knew the true convicted, humble, welcoming heart of this woman, and that she was prepared to receive forgiveness. He was also aware of the self-centered heart of Simon the Pharisee which was to present oneself better than others in a weak case to justify himself.
We must have the faith of this woman to truly receive forgiveness through Christ Jesus; it is only by the grace of God that we may receive forgiveness, but we must prepare ourselves sincerely and faithfully to receive it. This is how we can turn from the sinful nature and to the new life in Christ Jesus; by truly believing in Him.
Dear Lord,
We all have sin that needs cleansed by the forgiveness only found in Jesus. Please touch our hearts through this story in the Gospel of Luke and help us to prepare ourselves to receive forgiveness through Jesus. Please help us to truly, sincerely, welcome Jesus into our hearts through Your Holy Spirit and put on a new life in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.