058. LUK 7:37-38. THE WOMAN THAT WAS A SINNER

Luk_7:37-38. The Woman That Was a Sinner

"And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment."’97Luk_7:37, Luk_7:38.

Observe, in this very interesting narrative, I. The Person described. II. The Course she adopted. And, III. The Public Testimony she received. Notice,

I. The Person described.

"And, behold, a woman in the city which was a sinner."

1. She was a sinner.

And this applies to all the children of the human family. "All have sinned," &c. In common, then, with others, she possessed a depraved nature’97heart of unbelief’97practically delinquent, &c. But there can be no doubt, that she was,

2. A notorious sinner.

Distinguished as such. There are degrees of sin. It has been supposed that she was a public woman’97abandoned, dissipated, and universally known as such. A sinner above most of the inhabitants where she dwelt. But it is equally evident,

3. That she was a mourning and deeply-penitent sinner.

Her eyes had been opened’97her heart deeply affected with her lost estate. An anxious Christ-seeking sinner.

This leads us, therefore, to contemplate

II. The Course which she adopted.

"When she knew that Jesus sat at meat," &c. She had heard of Jesus Most likely, had been brought to her present state by his heavenly discourses; and knowing now where he was to be found she hastens to the house where he sat at meat, &c. Observe in her conduct.

1. Strong desires after the Saviour.

It must have been no small cross, for such a person as herself to venture into the dwelling of a proud, imperious, self righteous Pharisee. Notwithstanding, hear ing that Christ was there, she overcame the difficulty, and came into his presence. Notice,

2. Her deep humility and lowliness of mind.

Christ was reclining on a couch, as it is the custom in the East; she did not, therefore, intrude her presence so as to interrupt the Saviour, but took the lowest place, and "stood at his feet, behind him." Observe, 3 Her signs of deep contrition.

"She bathed his feet with tears." Her soul appeared to be melted within her, and to flow so copiously as to provide a stream sufficient to wash the precious feet of Christ! "Blessed are they that mourn," &c. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Observe,

4. Her true and hearty affection to Christ.

"She wiped his feet with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet." Her hair, that which is generally the pride of her sex, she employs as a towel; and with glowing ardor of attachment, she ceases not to salute his feet. Notice,

5. Her liberality and devotedness to Christ.

She brings a precious box of fragrant ointment, worth about ten pounds of our money, and pours it upon him, and thus anointed his feet. Perhaps, this was of the best she possessed of an earthly nature, probably her all; yet it is freely and cheerfully devoted to Christ. The power of Christ’s constraining love. If this person was Mary Magdalene, as is generally supposed, it was followed,

6. By a life worthy of the public profession she now made.

She attended Christ in many of his journeys’97was one of the noble three who stood near his cross, when his disciples had forsaken him and fled’97and was with the first at the tomb, on the illustrious morn when he arose from the dead. Let us notice, then,

III. The Public Testimony she received.

She had honored Jesus; and he now honors her, by testifying of her.

1. He testified to her forgiveness.

He said, "Thy sins are forgiven thee" ver. 48. Pharisee condemned her; ver. 39. Now Jesus justifies her’97pronounces her pardoned.

2. He testified to her faith as the instrumental cause

Thy faith hath saved thee;" ver. 50 Faith is the eye fixed on the crucified Saviour, which brings the virtue of Christ’s blood to the healing of the soul; Joh_3:14, &c. Faith lays hold of the horn of salvation’97runs into the refuge’97trusts entirely in Christ’97and accepts of God’s unspeakable gift.

3. He testified to the greatness of her love.

See the parable, and the application of it, from ver. 40 to 47.

4. He testified to his approval and acceptance of her.

He said to her, "Go in peace." "My peace I give unto you," &c. "Being justified, we have peace," &c. "Preaching peace by Jesus Christ." Kingdom of God, righteousness, peace, &c.

Application

Learn, 1. The condescension of Christ. 2. The riches of his grace. 3. His power and willingness to save the chief of sinners. 4. The true way of coming to Christ. 5. The effects of true love to Him.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS