The Greatness of Forgiveness - Luke 7:36-50
THE SINFUL WOMAN’S GREAT UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST 7:36-38
Some believe this woman was an immoral woman; but this is carrying the passage to far. I believe that she was a normal unsaved sinner who lived in this city, who, through the ministry of Christ, had been converted, and has now come show publically her gratitude for her deliverance from sin.
Most likely, she experienced such gratitude over her forgiveness, that she could not contain herself, and had to express her thankfulness. Her heart pounded as she remembered her sin, and at the presence of Christ who had taught her, and in deep sorrow she humbled herself.
She expressed her love by kissing his feet, a sign of true affection; her humility, by bathing his feet; her appreciation, by breaking a costly box of ointment on his feet.
This is the way we should all come, embracing Christ as Redeemer, humbled at his feet, and offering all we have _ all that we have gained in lives of sin, by world labor, while we were lost sinners, but have now been forgiven
Lord, Be merciful to me a sinner
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole....
THE PHARISEE’S LIMITED UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES - 7:39
for she is a sinner - esti harmartiwn - Pres Ind - missing the mark, falling short of His glory. Cf. Rom. 3:23
JESUS’ UNDERSTANDING OF FORGIVENESS
7: 40-43 Exegete simply - Jesus had been accused and was continuously accused of consorting with sinners: And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15:2
JESUS’ EVALUATION OF GREAT LOVE - 7:44-46
1John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
GREAT FORGIVENESS FOLLOWS GREAT LOVE - 7:47-49
Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; - afimi - Pf Passive Describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated. Hebrews 10:10; and "It is finished."
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. I Tim. 1:15
FAITH IS THE KEY TO SALVATION AND CORRECT SALVATION AND WORSHIP - 7:50 - "thy faith hath saved thee" - swzw - Perfect Pass again. Eph. 2:8-9
"All her tokens of penitence and affection could not, even in the eyes of sinful men, wash away the stain of her life, but the grace of Christ led her to true peace, as her abiding condition" Schaff.