Expressing Gratitude
Luke 7: 36-50
Introduction: Expressing gratitude is something that should come naturally to us. However, it is vanishing in this culture of ours. We believe we are owed something. We are never wrong, really. Gratitude is becoming out of style, a sign of weakness. Christians should be eager to show gratitude, especially about their sins. Salvation should never be taken for granted, no matter how long you’ve had it. We think gratitude should be spontaneous, however we should learn how to express it and how to keep it.
Background
When and where this passage of story happened does not appear here in the scriptures
We do know it happed at a time when Jesus was being reproached for being a friend to publicans and sinners.
WE do not know who the woman was, some think it Mary Magdalene but no ground can be found in the scriptures to confirm that.
Gratitude Expresses Love Luke 7:36-38
A Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him. Probably he thought it would enhance his position to have someone as popular as Jesus at his table or because Jesus would be an entertainment to him and his family.
This Pharisee did not believe Jesus to be a prophet. However Jesus accepted the invitation perhaps to show he would eat with Pharisees also.
The posture at the table was one of an inclined position with the legs bent so that the feet were somewhat behind the person. Not very easy to get to the feet while in this position.
V.37 a woman comes in who was Gentile, a known sinner who had been converted from her wicked ways by Jesus. She begins to wash his feet as an acknowledgement of her obligation to him. She had no other way or opportunity until now to express her gratitude.
She anointed his feet with expensive sweet ointment. NOTE: she did not look at him but came from behind and knelt at his feet. She was humble.
She stood behind him and wept. She wept in humiliation
Her face which use to be painted to attract men, is now marred with tears.
She uses her hair as a towel, the same hair that was braided to show off its beauty.
We have reason to believe she has sorrowed over her sins before this but now had an opportunity to thank the Lord for his forgiveness.
NOTE: All true penitents have a deep love for Christ because they remember what he did for them.
She washed his feet with tears. Her affection for Christ was very great.
Love Grows out of Forgiveness Luke 7:39-43
The Pharisee took offense at Christ for admitting the respect, which the poor penitent paid to Jesus.
He thought to himself that Jesus had just proved he was not a prophet because he apparently did not know who this woman was. NOTE: The Lord knows our very thoughts, though we may wish he did not.
Proud and haughty people feel everyone should be as they are to those considered less fortunate or worthy.
Jesus addresses the Pharisee’s thoughts with a story.
The Pharisee addresses/compliments Christ as Master though he does not believe it. Beware, the world gives hallow compliments.
Christ is about to show that he is more than a prophet but that he can forgive sins.
Jesus tells the parable about the debtors. One owed five hundred pence, and on owed fifty. The debtor forgave them both. Which of them will love him the most?
The Pharisee answers the one that owed the most. Jesus complimented him on being right.
Love is more than Respect Luke 7:44-47
Jesus turns to the Pharisee and begins to teach him
The Pharisee did not treat Christ honorably when he entered the home
He did not provide Christ with water for his tired feet as is honorable for a guest.
Christ in short tells him that he was not grateful and honorable as this woman was. By the Pharisees own admission the woman, who was a great sinner, showed Christ more love than the Pharisee could. The Pharisee did not see himself as in a great need for forgiveness. Hence the woman showed Christ more love and respect because she was grateful.
Jesus silenced the woman’s fears. In front of all he told her that her sins were forgiven.
He told her to go in peace.
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