CASE STUDY OF THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE AND WORSHIP:

1. The Pharisee invited Jesus into his home but reacted with cynicism.

Luke 7:39-43 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. 41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.

Cynicism can lead to a hard heart, making it difficult to worship Jesus.

Matthew 13:15 (Jesus said in the parable of the Sower) For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’

Cynicism relies on human perception; faith requires trusting God beyond what we can see.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

2. The immoral woman came in with humility and expressed a repentant dedication.

Luke 7:37-38 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard He was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing His feet and putting perfume on them.

She understood the cost of worship.

Luke 9:23-24 Then (Jesus) said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Philippians 3:7-9 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

She shows you don’t have to be fearful to approach Jesus in worship.

Matthew 11:28 (Jesus said) “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

3. Jesus confronts Simon and affirms the woman.

Luke 7:39-43 (Summary) Simon asked Jesus to have dinner with him, a certain immoral woman heard He was eating there, brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. She knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping, tears falling on His feet. She wiped them with her hair. She kept kissing His feet and putting perfume on them. The Pharisee said to himself, “If Jesus is who He says He is, He would know this woman touching Him is a sinner!

Simon was evaluating Jesus rather than worshipping Him.

The woman gave all of herself in selfless devotion.

Luke 7:44-48 Then (Jesus) turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus shows that He values inner loving expression over outward superficial expression.

Conclusion:

Religious pride can blind us to our own need of grace!

Luke 7:50 …Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”