Sermons:

• Scandals and Judgments,  Luke 7:36-50, Rev. Frank Schaefer     (see below)

• The Prophet and the Red-haired Woman, Luke 7:36-8:3,  Rev. Dr. David Rogne
   

• Be Aware or Beware!  Luke 7:36-8:3, by Rev. William O. Porter III.
   

• Who's in Our Drawings? Luke 7:36 -50, by Rev. Hall
   

• Jesus and Hospitality, Luke 7:36 - 8:3, by Rev. Hall

Sermon Skit:

• Can you believe it? Sermon Skit, Luke 7:36-8:3, by Rev. Charlie Woodward

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Scandals and Judgments
based on Luke 7:36-50
Rev. Frank Schaefer

Luke is the only one who records the story of this sinful woman anointing the feet of Jesus. It is not told in any of the other gospel accounts.

Let us spend a minute talking about this unnamed woman. I realize that she is identified in the account as a woman who lived a sinful life. I think we can imagine what “kind of woman” the text is referring to and quite frankly, the whole concept is quite scandalous. So scandalous that I have trouble mentioning the word that is used to describe this kind of sinful woman from the pulpit. But, I think we need to name her for what we all know she was in order to get the full impact and teaching that Luke wants us to experience: this woman was a prostitute. To the pious faith community of first century Judea prostitution was on the lowest rung of the sinner's ladder, along with murderers, Samaritans and tax collectors.

Given the scandalous background of this woman, I found myself initially sympathizing with Jesus' host, Simon. I would have a problem with a “woman like that” coming into my house and touching my guest of honor, a fellow preacher or pastor.

He has a point, doesn't he? Just imagine this would happen at your dinner event at home.

However, when Simon, the Pharisee, sees what this sinful woman is doing to Jesus, he actually judges Jesus, not just the woman. This is what the text says he is thinking: “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39).

So, he acknowledges that Jesus did not meet this woman before, that he did not know what she did for a living. However, Simon judges Jesus on the basis of a religious idea, namely that if he were a true prophet then he should have some other way of knowing that this woman was a prostitute.

Perhaps that was Simon's ulterior motif to invite Jesus into his house in the first place, i.e. to investigate him, suspecting him to be an imposter. In any case, because of his judgmental attitude he completely misses a beautiful thing that God is doing right in front of his eyes. He's looking at it, but he cannot see it because of his condemning judgments.

Jesus said in Luke 6:37, the preceding chapter: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

As Simon the Pharisee is making condemning judgments in his heart, he misses a beautiful story of forgiveness that is unfolding in his presence—a story of God's amazing grace and unconditional love at work.  [continue]