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Salvation through Jesus the Divine
A fundamental belief of the Christian faith is the exceeding and incomprehensible love of God in Jesus Christ. The Gospels detail the life and ministry of Christ on earth and are replete with instances which convey the matchless love and care of Jesus. One such account is found in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 7:36-50). The account details an experience at dinner with a Pharisee (Simon) in which Jesus declares forgiveness upon a woman who was apparently known by all as a wretched sinner. Underneath the surface, however, the story also reveals Jesus’ love for all including the Pharisee who invited him to dinner. In this account, the truth is borne that whether respected or despised, Jesus loves and offers forgiveness to everyone equally, for everyone is equally in need of his mercy. Unpacking the Luke’s account is certainly beneficial in clarifying the gospel truth and understanding the questions that may arise from the text. Three primary imperatives are offered from these verses that stem from the overarching truth of Jesus’ great love for everyone.
Jesus’
Concern Is for Everyone (vv. 36-38)
In
the text here, the Son of God is invited to dinner by a Pharisee. Jesus’ heated
encounters with the Pharisees throughout the Gospel accounts could spawn the
question of why he was invited and why he accepted the invitation. The text
does not suggest either reason; yet, it is clear that, perhaps contrary to
popular opinion, Jesus’ concern is not only for the despised and hurting in the
world but also for the (seemingly) respected and dignified. A Pharisee would
certainly fit such a description. Jesus does not neglect his ministry to every
person with whom he interacts but embraces any opportunity to love everyone.
Jesus’
act of reclining at the table is apparently significant to Luke. Luke, a physician
by trade, finds the (likely cultural) practice of reclining at the table
significant. While the text does not suggest why Jesus reclines at the table
during dinner, it could be that the practice is normal in that culture. Jesus’
action then is indicative of his desire to love and be found with all in need
of him, i.e. everyone. Said another way, Jesus accepts the invitation to the
Pharisee’s house for dinner and engages in culturally appropriate practices and,
in essence, reveals his love for everyone, not only those who are hurting,
broken, and needy.
The
Pharisees were known as perhaps the most religiously devout Jews in the New
Testament world. In fact, a position as a Pharisee was likely a coveted
position. While the New Testament often seems to portray Pharisees in a negative
light, a Pharisee was a man who was respected among his peers and in society in
general, not necessarily because of his character but because of his status as
a Pharisee. Jesus often has harsh words for Pharisees and rebukes them (Matt
23:16-17 among other references). If the entirety of the New Testament is not
considered, one might easily conclude that Jesus exuded disdain and hatred
toward the Pharisees; nonetheless, the account here in Luke exposes a God who
cares not only for those who are despised and rejected in the world but also
those who are among the most respected and dignified. External factors are not
connected to Jesus’ love for humanity; Luke’s account here supports that fact.
Furthermore,
the story here in Luke describes Jesus’ concern for the woman. The author is
careful to point out the sinfulness of the woman (v. 37). Luke’s claim is
significant in that the New Testament and even Jesus himself continuously
remind readers that all are sinful. One might wonder, therefore, why the woman’s
sinfulness is highlighted in the passage. While the text does not specify why
the woman’s sinfulness is drawn from everyone else in the story, it could be that
her sinfulness is unique in that she is known in the community as exceptional
in her sin, e.g. a prostitute perhaps. Luke’s point, however, is not the degree
of sin the woman has committed but the fact that the is known as a sinner and
despised and rejected because of that status.
Jesus,
nevertheless, shows greatest love and compassion for the woman. In the midst of
a respected Pharisee (and likely his dignified company), Jesus reveals great
care and concern. Jesus’ love for both the woman and the Pharisee remind the
reader that the Son of God’s love for people is not connected to any external
factors. Whether rich or poor, despised or rejected, or one of great or little
sin, Jesus loves his people equally.
Luke’s narrative in this passage, offers readers a glimpse into the magnificent love of God. God’s love truly cannot be described to its fullest by human words. Jesus’ actions in the story, however, grant the twofold truth that Jesus’ love is offered to everyone no matter the external factors and that everyone is equally in need of his mercy. The Pharisee, whether he realizes it or not, is equally as separated from God as the sinful woman and in need of the grace of God. Jesus shows his love for the Pharisee in having dinner with him and for the woman in his forgiving actions toward her. Therefore, whether respected or despised, Jesus loves and offers forgiveness to everyone equally, for everyone is equally in need of his mercy.
Great
Forgiveness Demands Great Love (vv. 39-47)
The
author describes the sinful woman’s actions, which seem to be derived from her
brokenness, humility, and realization of her own sin. The woman might have
intended to anoint Jesus’ head but began to sob out of a sober realization of
her sin and, thus, began to wipe her own tears from Jesus’ feet with her hair.
Her understanding of her own sin precedes the forgiving act of Jesus.
Additionally,
Jesus unfalteringly connects forgiveness and love. “Therefore, I tell you, her
sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven
little, loves little” (v. 47), says Jesus. In essence, one’s love for God is
dependent upon his or her reception of forgiveness from God. Luke’s details of
the sinful woman are significant in revealing someone who is repentant and,
therefore, forgiven.
The
woman’s actions offended the Pharisee who says, “If this man were a prophet, he
would have known who and what sort of woman this is…” (v. 39). What Simon the
Pharisee offers here is an untrue belief, for Jesus, in his divinity, certainly
knows who the woman is and everything about her and, in fact, has in mind to
forgive her (as revealed later in the text). This portion of the text is ironic
because while Simon’s statement reference Jesus’ lack of knowledge, as Luke
mentions, the Pharisee utters this statement to himself and Jesus responds
indicating his own perception of Simon’s thoughts; Jesus, therefore, certainly
knows not only who the woman is but also the thoughts of Simon himself. Luke’s
Gospel then stresses Simon’s claim as untrue next to that of what Jesus says
and does.
Lest Jesus’
words be distorted to mean that some people are forgiven more than others, the
context of the account presents the reader with both Jesus’ love for the woman
and for the Pharisee. Thus, Jesus’ words are likely a reminder that everyone is
equally deserving of punishment but forgiven much.[1] Jesus proceeds to give a
parable. The purpose of the parable is evidently to emphasize his point to
Simon, those present with him in that setting, and the readers of the account.
Simon answers correctly in his knowledge that the one (in the parable) who was forgiven
more also loved more. The sinful woman interacting with Jesus in Luke’s account
is obviously represented by one who has been forgiven much. According to Jesus’
words, the quantity of one’s love for God is suggestive of his or her
realization of the depth of forgiveness granted. The sinful woman’s state of
being forgiven is preceded by her repentant heart and actions which reveal such
repentance. Jesus then offers her incredible forgiveness, which offends the Pharisee
so Christ proceeds to offer a parable and allow his hearers to see the correct
perspective.
The woman’s actions reveal that great forgiveness demands great love; Jesus, however, clarifies this truth in the parable he tells. While the woman holds a reputation as a wicked sinner, she is forgiven to the same degree and, therefore, grateful. Whether Simon realizes it or not, he is also equally in need of God’s mercy. Jesus, in making his point known to his hearers, concurrently offers the same level of forgiveness to all who would receive him. A derivative of Jesus’ forgiveness and indeed the fruit thereof is one’s love toward the Lord manifested in obedience to him (John 14:15). Jesus here offers bountiful forgiveness to the sinful woman and also to the Pharisee, both of whom are in desperate need of it.
Salvation
Is by Faith Alone (v. 50)
Luke’s
account of the sinful woman might initially seem to suggest that the woman’s actions
save her. Nonetheless, it is surely her faith that saves, which Jesus reveals (v.
50), i.e. the woman’s actions should be considered a derivative of her faith. The
truth portrayed from the text then is that salvation is by faith alone. One of
the basic tenets of the Christian faith and indeed a foundational cry of the
Reformation, faith alone, stands as that through which salvation is
granted to all believers.
Being careful
not to disconnect the effect of works, it should be clear that while works
themselves do not save the woman, her actions are conceived by her faith. Luke’s
text seems to follow a reverse-linear trajectory moving from action to
salvation to faith (when the sequence of events is reversed in reality).[2] The effect of her faith,
therefore, is salvation to which she responds with action, i.e. the woman is
grateful and expresses such gratitude by her act of anointing Christ. The woman
loves much because she is forgiven much (v. 47); her faith, however, is that
through which salvation comes from Christ alone.
Luke’s account additionally clearly
alludes to Jesus’ divinity by declaring the woman’s sins forgiven. Even those present
at dinner ponder who Jesus is. Luke writes, “…‘Who is this, who even forgives
sins?’” (v. 49) Jesus does not neglect declaring his divinity throughout the
Gospels. This account is one such instance where he places himself as a
co-equal with God the Father by forgiving sin. Declaring the woman’s sins
forgiven is a miraculous act but one that apparently caught the attention of
many people including the author of Luke’s Gospel. It is significant enough an instance
that Luke desires to include it in his perspective but also that those present
at dinner began to speak amongst themselves. The power to forgive may only come
from God himself, for it is a divine act, which no human may replicate. Jesus
authoritatively forgives the woman of her sin and, in doing so, divulges the
fact that he is co-equal with God the Father and is, in fact, God himself.
The gospel truth that salvation is by
faith alone is revealed in Luke’s text here but, furthermore, points to the one
in whom faith must be placed: namely Jesus Christ. The sinful woman, repentant of
sin and with complete faith in Jesus, acts in response to who Jesus is. While
Jesus’ verbal declaration of forgiveness appears later in the text and after
the woman’s act of faith, it should not be forgotten that Jesus says one who
loves little has been forgiven little (v. 47). In the same verse, however,
Jesus says that the woman’s sins are forgiven “…for she loved much….” One might
assume then that the woman was forgiven because of her great love shown toward
Christ contradicting the truth of the passage that faith alone saves. Thus, to
properly interpret Jesus’ statement (in verse 47), the reverse-linear context
of the passage should be considered. As the passage moves from action to salvation
to faith when faith is first, then salvation, then action. This portion of
verse 47 then should be considered in the same manner, for the woman’s act of
love is in response to what she has been forgiven. In fact, the English
translation of the Bible seems to separate “for she loved much” from the rest
of the statement perhaps to highlight the sequence of events in recognition
that she was first forgiven.
As the sinful woman was forgiven much, believers should place themselves as the characters in the story. Truly, both the woman and the Pharisee are equally in need of Christ. While their sins are different and perhaps even viewed differently among their peers, they are, nonetheless, separated from God because of their own evil hearts. The encouraging truth revealed in Luke’s passage here is that salvation is by faith alone in God the Son, Jesus Christ. The woman understands such truth and acts accordingly because she has been forgiven greatly.
Exceeding
Love beyond all Comprehension
Luke’s
passage exudes Jesus’ love for all people, whether respected or despised, and,
furthermore, offers the fruit of great forgiveness: namely great love. One who
has been forgiven much will, in effect, love much. Such forgiveness, however,
comes only by faith. One is not forgiven apart from faith; only through faith
in Christ are believers the recipients of exceeding forgiveness from God. Further,
Jesus’ acceptance of Simon’s invitation to dinner reminds readers that, perhaps
contrary to popular opinion, Jesus loves even the respected and dignified. The
common thought might be that Jesus loves the despised, rejected, and reputably
sinful more than the opposite; nevertheless, Jesus’ love extends beyond the
realm of human understanding and is irrespective of external factors. Jesus, in
fact, loves everyone equally regardless of what one has or has not done. Luke’s
account provides insight into the depths of Jesus’ love for all people and
reminds readers that whether respected or despised, Jesus loves and offers
forgiveness to everyone equally, for everyone is equally in need of his mercy.
[1]
This is not to suggest that individual human sins cannot vary in degree (Paul,
for example, references himself as the chief of sinners in 1 Tim 1:15) and
consequence but rather that all sin separates humanity from God equally.
[2] In the text, the woman first, in realization of her sin, takes a repentant position and humbly anoints Jesus while weeping and wiping his feet with her hair; she is then forgiven by the Lord; finally, Jesus declares that her faith has saved her.
