ASSEMBLIES OF GOD ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR NOVEMBER 19, 2023

The account for this week’s lesson occurs early in Jesus’ ministry. Already many were following Jesus believing what John the Baptist had preached about Him. Opposition from the Pharisees and other religious leaders had surfaced but had not reached the intensity it would later. Yet Jesus did not shun the religious leader–He accepted social invitation from them. They had every opportunity to accept Him as Messiah, but we observe them steadily hardening their position Him.

This week’s passage is an example of Jesus teaching at a social occasion in a Pharisees’ house. Jesus ministered whatever He found spiritual needs and hungry souls. He had come to seek and save lost, including the Pharisees.

Luke 7:36-39

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Jesus’ teachings and fame became a well known to all the people and religious leaders. One of these religious leaders–a Pharisee invited Jesus over for supper and He accepted. But as they were eating a sinful woman, otherwise known as a prostitute, came to the dinner. Oftentimes, these dinners between religious leaders and authorities were public. The dinner was served to invited guests only, but anybody who wanted to attend the dinner could. So that there was room for uninvited quests, the dinner would often be served in the courtyard, or in some larger room that the people could gather in. This prostitute woman happened to be one of the uninvited guests.

She brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

The woman’s action is a great message for us today. This woman understands what it means to lay down all at the Feet of the Master. She expressed extravagant love in His presence. How do we respond to the presence of Jesus among us? Our motive and action will always show our love for His.

She laid outside shame or the sayings of the people around in order to surrender all for Him. When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, the man became frurious and a questioner, possibly a hostile one. Simon the Pharisee doubted that Jesus was a prophet because he thought that Jesus was unable to see this woman’s heart. Jesus will show that He can read the heart of man by exposing Simon’s heart as we can see from next outline.

Luke 7:40-46

Jesus exposed the heart of Simon by showing him that He is able to read and know the hearts of men. Jesus broke the silence–probably a terribly awkward silence–by saying that He had something to say, and to say personally to Simon. Jesus answers Simon with a parable. There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One man owed a small debt; the other owed ten times as much. The important point was that neither was able to repay what he owed and the creditor frankly forgave them both.

The creditor in this parable was a gracious individual. Solely on the basis of his own mercy he cancelled the debts of both men. The fact is that all have sinned and come short of His glory (Romans 3:23). We are all debtors before God. God does not categorise sin and no sin is above His mercy. When we recognise Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, He automatically cancel the debt we aren’t able to pay.

Now comes the real impact of the parable. When Jesus asked which debtor would love the creditor most, the only logical answer seemed to be: “the one who had the bigger the debt cancelled.” This was how Simon replied and he trapped himself by his own words. Jesus complimented him by saying, “thou has rightly Judged.” Simon the Pharisee denied Jesus the common courtesies from a host to a guest–washing the feet, a kiss for a greeting, and anointing the head with oil.

Yet, he criticized the woman for giving these courtesies to Jesus. From here, we can see main differences between the two approaches of coming to Jesus. Simon had no sense of forgiveness. He didn’t realize how much he needed Christ. He saw himslef as self-made rigteous person. There was no love and hunger to seek Jesus. The sinful woman realized she was nothing without Christ and His forgiveness. She was truly “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). She realized she was spiritually bankrupt. She loved Jesus much.

God’s Kingdom is made up of people like her. This is the true key to spirituality.

Luke 7:47-50

Jesus did not deny that the woman has been guilty of many sins. However, after acknowledging her sins were “many,” He quickly announced she was forgiven. “She loved much”–what a beautiful testimony to the forgiven because she loved. She knew she was forgiven, therefore she loved. Her past life had made it difficult to know the true meaning of love. Her relationships has been the kind that destroy the capacity to love. She had been merely an object to be used.

Now she met Jesus all of her past life had changed. There seems little doubt she already had assurance of forgiveness before she came to the banquet room. She had brought her ointment to express a love which had become so full and overflowing it could not be contained. God has shown us too much love via Christ’s death and coming to Him in full repentance had already cancelled our numerous sins.

Jesus’ assurance that the woman’s sins were forgiven confirmed what had already happened in her life. It was important to make the statement publicly because of attitude of Simon and other Pharisees in the crowed. Forgiveness is received by faith through Christ Jesus.

Note that God’s wrath is reserved only for those who refuse to come to Him for salvation, mercy, forgiveness! Don’t delay one moment in waiting to receive the gift of new life Jesus died and rose again to give you! The Bible teaches that God’s heart is one of forgiving even the greatest of sinners instead of condemning them for their faults. Have you received the forgiveness of sins that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you known for your forgiveness or faultfinding? “Be ready to forgive others as God for Christ sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

As believers, we must live a life that will speak the gospel to the people around you, and draw souls to Christ.

Father, help us to live and give all for You alone in Jesus Name. Amen!

Remain blessed as you join us in our Sunday school both online and at any Assemblies Of God Church close to you as we study together under the Feet of the Master.

Share your contribution and as well ask your question from the lesson.

Shalom!