This story centers on a prostitute and a religious leader, named Simon. Simon invited Jesus and others to his house for a meal and some dialogue. Simon was a Pharisee, a leader within the Jewish Sanhedrin, a kind of legislative congress for Jewish leaders.
The story reveals a stark contrast between the very pious, self-righteous religious leader, and the very humble, self-effacing prostitute, who was both a religious and social outcast. While Simon, the Pharisee, invited Jesus to a great feast, it is obvious that he was not truly "hungry and thirsty" at all. He did not seem to have any interest in the "food" that Jesus had to offer. Simon was too full of himself to receive anything from Jesus or anyone else. By contrast, the sinful woman came to Jesus "hungry and thirsty." Thirsty from guilt. Thirsty from regret. Thirsty from shame. Thirsty from countless nights of making love and finding none. She was empty! She was broken! She was an outcast with nothing to lose. But, unlike the host of the feast, this prostitute knew a Rabbi and healer when she saw one. She knew Jesus was one to be honored, appreciated and worshipped. So she did just that. She anointed him with her tears and with her very expensive perfume. She washed his feet and showed him love and respect unmatched by Jesus' religious host.
As we read this story, we find a principle that Jesus shares with Simon and the rest who were gathered at the feast. This principle can be called the 7:47 Principle, because it is found in Luke 7:47. The principle can be stated this way - "He who has been forgiven little shows little love!" What does that mean? It means we cannot give what we have not received! If we have never truly received love and forgiveness, how can we love and forgive others. If we have never truly seen ourselves as needing love and forgiveness from God, and then accepted that love and forgiveness, we will have no resource or reference point for offering that love and forgiveness to others - whether they be friend or enemy. Jesus is saying that the secret to loving is receiving love. Before we can give, we must truly receive. John put it this way in 1 John 4:19 - "We love because He first loved us!" That is our reference point. We love and forgive, as we have been loved and forgiven not by others around us, but by God Himself through Christ Jesus. A tough standard, but the only standard that will truly set us free. Our standard of measure is not what others have done or do to us, but what God has done and is doing for us. Receive God's "love deposit" first in your heart, and then write your "love check" to others. If we change that order in any way, it will not work.
This is one of those rare times when I would like for Jesus to look at my life and be able to say, He is like the prostitute! His sins are forgiven. How about you?
ENCOUNTERING THE WORD
Examine, reflect upon and analyze these passages and then consider the questions which follow.
- Luke 7:36-50
- 1 John 4:7-21
- Ephesians 5:1-2
- Ephesians 4:32
- Philippians 2:6
- Romans 5:8
- Luke 6:35
- What does the phrase "living loved" mean to you? Are you "living loved?" Explain.
- Do you agree that we cannot give what we have not truly received? Explain.
- What is The 7:47 Principle? What does it mean? How have you experienced this principle in your life?
- What lessons did Jesus want Simon to learn from this ENCOUNTER? How do they apply to us as a religious people?
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