A Tale of Two Seekers

Luke 7:36-48

The bible is full of scriptures/ parables/instruction that address the important issue of How? To seek after and How to come to the LORD Jesus Christ. Why we need Him to begin with, and Why? It is imperative that each person decide What they will do with Jesus Christ? And ultimately, the reality is expressed in scripture that we are to be ever seeking after Him, in all phases and activities of our life, in fact, for the Christian, Christ is our life.

The Gospel of Luke delivers up more parables than any of the other three gospels, and in Luke, Chapter 7:36-48 we see an encounter with Jesus and two individuals I call seekers; embedded within this encounter is a short but powerful parable, used then and now to offer us life, true life in Christ. In simplest form, it is about two seekers, one man and one woman.

The Seekers: Simon the Pharisee, (the dinner host)

Verse 36: “invited Him” Jesus. Really? invited Jesus in only to neglect even basic/expected hospitality of the day and culture.

Verse 39: “said to himself” Full of himself and his own righteousness; Witnesses a beautiful display of worship and is disgusted by it. His focus remained on questioning Jesus’ standing as a prophet and he re-mained oblivious to the river of grace raging in his own living room.

Verse 43: Answers Jesus’ question correctly. Hard to miss it. Jesus made it easy.

The Sinful Woman, (an uninvited guest)

Verse 37: “found out” “she brought” Actively sought out Jesus; (found out, went, brought) emptied herself. Cared more about what God thought than about dinner guests.

Verse38: Stood behind Jesus; washed His feet with her tears/hair; anointed His feet with oil. Raw repentance coupled with unabashed/unrestrained worship. Freely received God’s grace and forgiveness.

The Parable:

Intro: Verse 40: “Simon, I have something to say to you” Jesus answers his thoughts. “Teacher/Rabbi, say it”

Verse 41: Extreme/visible contrast in debt owed. Made obvious! Verse 42: Neither could pay it back! Graciously forgiven. Do not miss this…MANY DO!

The Rebuke: Did and Did Not Do!

Verse 44-46: Jesus addresses the contrast in the way He was treated by the two seekers.

Verse 47: THEREFORE, did and did not do. Personal: “her many sins have been forgiven”. General: ‘the one” Clear distinction; Loves little, Loves Much. How we treat/react to Jesus Christ, really does matter. The cost of unbelief.

Verse 48: “your sins are forgiven” VERY PERSONAL.

How does this Apply to Us? Today?

Urges the question, What kind of Seeker am I?

Could I be that close to Jesus Christ and Miss Him?

Simon: Defining Characteristics: Passive, (won’t cost me a thing) and Self Righteous, (yeah, I need Jesus, just not as much as some people who REALLY need Him) Not Willing!

Shows up in our lives: Abiding in God’s word, prayer, serving, giving, attitudes towards others, worship, has a noticeable lack in any or all of the above, stale, limited growth. Besetting sin, live defeated.

Sinful Woman: Defining Characteristics: Bold & Active, (went, brought) Fully convicted of her sinful nature, (did not pretend otherwise) Recognized and responded to the beauty of Jesus Christ.

Shows up in our lives: Abiding in God’s word, prayer, serving, giving, attitudes towards others, worship. And grows in the grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. Struggles and overcomes sin, lives victoriously.

May we all be seekers/disciples who are sincere, devoted and bold in our relationship with Jesus Christ!