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Take Him or Leave Him

From Luke 7:36-50

By Guy K. Henry

www.GuyHenry.com

“Jesus! Jesus!” called the Pharisee named Simon when he spied Jesus leaving the temple.

Jesus looked up at him.

“Jesus,” continued Simon, “Would you come to my home this evening for dinner?”

Jesus said that He would and together they walked down the street to the Pharisee’s house. Soon they arrived at his very fancy home.

“This is my house,” Simon grinned as he opened the front door for Jesus.

The inside of Simon’s home was nicely decorated. “Well, I hope that you are as hungry as I am,” Simon said, “let’s eat!”

Without delay, Simon, his family, Jesus, and His disciples reclined around the table while the food was quickly brought out by the servants.

After a little while a lady burst into the room. Simon recognized her and thought “I know her. This woman is a very big sinner, what is SHE doing in my house?”

One glance at her, and everyone knew that she had been crying. She looked around the room and spotted Jesus. She then ran toward Jesus and knelt at His feet. She cried even harder and soon her tears began to wash rivers of street dirt off of His feet. Then she used her own hair to wipe her tears off of His feet.

The woman continued her worship by taking a very very expensive box of sweet smelling ointment and poured it on Jesus’ feet. “Jesus! Jesus!” she cried.

Simon the Pharisee frowned and thought, “This man Jesus, if he really were a prophet, would have known what kind of woman this is that is touching him: for she is a sinner. I have seen her around the city, and she is a sinful woman. Why doesn’t Jesus know to send her away?”

Even though Simon had not spoken out loud, Jesus knew what he was thinking. “Simon,” Jesus said, “I have something to say to you.”

“Yes Jesus,” Simon politely answered, “what is it?”

“Once there was a man who had two people who owed him money,” Jesus began.

Simon nodded.

“One of the men owed him five hundred silver coins and the other owed him fifty coins.”

Everyone in the room listened intently.

“When both men had nothing to pay him with, he forgave them both,” Jesus paused, “Simon, tell me, which man will love him most.”

Simon thought for a moment and said, “I suppose that the man who he forgave the most would.”

Jesus agreed, “You have correctly judged.”

Then He turned and stretched out his hand towards the woman. “Simon, do you see this woman?”

Simon nodded again.

“When I came into your house, you gave me no water to wash my feet as most polite people do. This woman has washed my feet with her tears, and instead of a towel she has wiped them with her own hair.”

Simon said nothing.

Jesus continued, “Simon, when we met, you did not greet me with a kiss. This woman has not stopped kissing my feet since I got here.”

Simon’s face began to turn angry.

“And lastly Simon,” Jesus said with a firm voice, “You did not dab my head with oil as is customary, but this woman has soaked my feet with the most precious and expensive ointment.”

Simon raised his hand to defend himself, but he could not find the words which would excuse his rudeness.

“I say to this woman,” Jesus said as he laid his hand on her head, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven. She has loved much.”

Then Jesus looked straight at Simon the Pharisee, “But to you little is forgiven, because you have shown little love.”

Then Jesus lifted the woman’s chin and spoke to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This started a murmur echoing in the room. “Who is this man that also forgives sins?”

There were many people at dinner that evening, but I want to focus on just two of them.

First, let’s look at the unnamed woman.

Why was she crying?

Who did she go to?

What did that show that she believed about Jesus?

What did she show Him? How?

What did Jesus give to her? What did Jesus say she had?

Then there is Simon.

Why might he have asked Jesus to dinner?

Luke 7:39 “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

What kind of sinner do you think Simon thought he was?

James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Do you think that Simon thought he was going to Heaven after he died?

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

What about us?

Are we like the woman? Will we take Jesus, Love Jesus, Believe Jesus, and Trust Jesus?

Luke 7:50 “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

Or, will we be like Simon the Pharisee? Will we reject Jesus?

Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Take Him, or Leave Him.

It is your choice.

Matthew 12:30 “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

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