I. Introduction
A. Invitations
B. Back to School Drive Invitation
C. Simon’s Party
1. In our passage today, Jesus reminds us that our concept of who deserves an invitation may differ from who God would invite.
2. The Narrative
a. Simon (not Peter) is a Pharisee who has invited Jesus to his home.
b. While they are reclining for the meal, a woman approaches who is apparently known to be a sinner.
c. She begins to wipe Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment, her tears, and her hair.
d. Simon surmises that Jesus is not all that special because if he had known who she was, He would have dismissed her.
e. Jesus tells a short parable about two servants who are forgiven their debts and then asks to see if Simon gets the point.
3. The point of Jesus’ lesson our lesson today is to remind us of the purpose behind what we’re doing next week.
4. We’re not just providing school supplies, we are seeking to create opportunities to supply something so much more important.
II. Ready to Receive
A.
1. There are some things I want us to be aware of as we approach this outreach event.
2. Be aware of the we all face in seeing people as God sees them.
a. Don’t allow to prevent you from caring for those not like you. Don’t let your blind you to the need that everyone has of Jesus.
b. Be aware of our preconceived notions of who will be here on Sunday. We will have preconceived notions about their true need, their motivations, etc.
c. Simon is representative of that notion in all of us to allow our preferences to prevent us from caring for others as we should. He focused on her reputation, not her tears.
d. One of the things we can do is pray all this week that God will help us to prepare our hearts to reach these souls that will come through our doors.
3. Be aware of the true of this event.
a. Jesus understood that this table scene was not really about eating at Simon’s house; it was going to be an opportunity to teach Simon.
b. We need to pray that He will help us to be aware of the people who will be around us who need to know Him.
B.
1. There are a lot of people in this world who feel because they are.
2. People often act just like we them.
a. If you act dismissive towards someone, they won’t care what you have to say.
b. Jesus allowing this woman to even touch Him was acknowledging her existence, something that not many people did because of her life.
3. Anguish points out that in verse 44-46 Luke points out several cultural customs that should have been provided to Jesus if Simon was really being a good host (washing feet, kiss for rabbi, refreshment of anointing). By not doing these, Simon slighted Jesus.
a. There will be people here who have children who make noise because they may never have sat through a worship service before.
b. There may be people who talk through the service.
c. Be careful of the glances you cast their way.
d. Smiles travel further into the hearts of people than judgmental glances or the shaking of a head.
4. Acknowledge the people who come into our building as would.
C.
1. Anyone who walks into our lives should be given the to become acquainted with Jesus.
a. We don’t usually become good friends with someone without first getting to know them.
b. Ultimately, we want people to move to a deeper relationship with Jesus through being acquainted with us.
2. The woman in this passage was a sinner, which meant she needed Jesus.
a. In this scene, purity was a major sticking point for the Pharisees. The fact that this sinful woman even approaches is scandalous.
b. Anguish points out that many of the rabbis of the day taught that God did not forgive people of their sins (represented by debts in the parable), but rather that He focused on punishing people for their sins.
c. Simon didn’t consider that this woman could even be forgiven by God because of her sins, and he didn’t recognize the need for forgiveness of his own sins.
d. One of the best things we can do for our own mindset for this upcoming Sunday is to humble ourselves and remember that we ALL need Jesus and not just once.
3. We NEED Jesus ALL THE TIME.
III. Conclusion
A. Sinners, Saints, and a Savior
1. We have all been the woman in this narrative at some point in our lives. We need to realize that.
2. We have also all been the Pharisee in this narrative at some point in our lives. We also need to realize that.
3. What is amazing is that Jesus was there to save them both in this narrative.
B. Invitation