Luke 7:36-50 - Worship
Scripture:
Luke 7:36-50
36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.
37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
40 And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher."
41 "A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
44 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 she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48 Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
NASU
NASU
Thoughts:
Again, the compassion of the Lord is moving. And also once again, He sets up a double-sided scenario, this time not only forgiving the sinful woman (verse 48), but also revealing to Simon his own self-righteousness and ungratefulness to God (verses 44-47).
Tragically, I think probably too often we can relate more with Simon than with the woman. This woman comes into Simon's home and worships Christ in a way that is completely humiliating and must have been embarrassing for those in the room. Can you imagine someone washing another's dirty feet (which Jesus' feet would have been from walking about with sandals) with their tears and their hair?
Clearly we don't have to worry about seeing this in our churches today as Christ is no longer walking about in His earthly ministry, but sometimes we do witness others worshipping Him in a way that makes us uncomfortable. Maybe they close their eyes while singing, perhaps they raise a hand or two (or don't raise their hands), or maybe they don't seem to be participating at all, but are just silent. Basically, anything that is different from our own preferences or background can cause us concern, and tempt us to judge the person's motives.
But in our churches today, just like in this scene long ago, what matters truly is the heart of the worshipper. This woman reflects the right heart of a believer: complete thankfulness to Christ in the deepest humility. She recognized how great His forgiveness for her was (verse 47).
Sadly, it's true that some people may attempt to look more spiritual than they really are by how they behave during worship, and others merely go through a routine they've done countless times before with no real thought as to why they are doing it. But probably more of the time, a person worshipping in a way different from us is doing so with the most sincere heart and with their mind completely focused on Christ. Again, it's the position of the heart that matters.
Prayer:
Lord, let my heart be quick to worship You and to be accepting of others, instead of judging them. Give me the discernment I need, but set me free to worship You, without focusing on the posture of those around me.
Amen
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