Luke 7:36-8:21
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.”41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii,and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Some Women Accompany Jesus
8 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
The Parable of the Sower
4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
The Purpose of the Parables
9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that
‘looking they may not perceive,
and listening they may not understand.’
The Parable of the Sower Explained
11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
A Lamp under a Jar
16 “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18 Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
The True Kindred of Jesus
19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21 But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
What does the passage say?
V. 7:36-50 It is interesting to see that a Pharisee invited Jesus to a dinner. Also, meaning that Jesus will make his way out to this certain group, who despised him. Or, maybe, this particular Pharisee wanted to hear more about Jesus. However, we know that he did not respect Jesus. We see that this woman who according to Luke, who lived a sinful life, shows the respect Jesus should have received. Her act brings the attention of a contrast of their attitude toward God. The Pharisee, who had more privilege and esteem, and whom might have considered himself righteous over many other sinners did not understand the concept of Grace. On the other hand, the sinful lady fully understands the concept of Grace.
V. 8:1-15 Jesus shares the Parable of the Sower. This parable is recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The Message Bible says, “But the seed in the good earth – these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest” (v. 15 The Message). It is interesting to see, how he uses ‘sticking until harvest,’ where others will say, ‘persevering produce a crop.’
V. 16-18 Jesus then says we should not hide our lights in the world. He is calling out the followers to shine their light in the world. If the disciples do not shine the light, darkness prevails. He is also saying that the more grace received, the more responsibility they carry. This is a direct relation to the story of the sinful women.
V. 19-21 Jesus’ mother and brother come to meet with Jesus. They are blocked by the crowd. Then Jesus says something unique. According to the Message, he says, “My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood” (v. 21 The Message)
What does the passage say to me/us?
The four stories that we read today have one unified theme. ‘Are we responding to the Grace we received?’
The sinful women respond to the grace of God, by honoring him with all she has.
Through the parable, Jesus is calling out to his followers to have a heart ready to react to the Word that was planted. He calls for actions to bear fruit.
He then challenges his followers to shine the light into this world. He is telling them to be generous and live generously. Because if they respond to that call, God will provide.
Then Luke concludes the compilation of stories, by giving out the main idea. ‘Every who hears the word and put them into practice is my family. God is calling for our Obedience.’
So I wanted to end this devotion with some questions to sit on.
Are we obedient to God?
Are we respecting God and honoring God with our entire life?
Are we responding to God’s call, daily?
Let us Pray
Lord, we want to live according to your will. Help us to see our sinfulness, of our self-centered life. Help us to understand your grace. And help us to respond to your call. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
What are your thoughts?
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