Like other ancient thinking characters, Simon faces a choice; he is deciding between two opposing views of Jesus’ identity — either Jesus is a prophet or he isn’t. (1-5) The centurion’s request. Go in peace. Simon skipped those tokens of respect. A Church That Loves Much Luke 7:36-50 Introduction Dinner at Simon’s house took on a special meaning the day Jesus came. To fully understand the truth of Luke 7:36-50, you must approach Jesus as this sinful woman approaches Him – as a sinner, who only wants to love Jesus. Supper with Sinners (Luke 7:36-38) Luke 7:36-38. Luke 7.36-50 is the first story in the Third Gospel where a character thinks to himself (the others are in Luke 12.17, 45; 15.17-19; 16.4-7; 18.18.4-5; 20.13). Understand the meaning of Luke 7:50 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50, NIV) Life Lessons . Luke 7:50 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Luke 7:50, NIV: "Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'" It is important to understand that she was not forgiven because of her “works,” because Jesus then added, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). Luke 7:50, ESV: "And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”" Luke 7:50, KJV: "And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." (Luke 7:50) Jesus is clearly stating here that the woman - Mary Magdalene as we established with Luke 7:40-48 - was saved by her "faith." An Invitation to Dine at the Home of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36) And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. But while they feel they cannot enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such repenting sinners. Luke 7:36-50 – Jesus Pronounces a Woman’s Forgiveness Summary While dining at the home of a Pharisee, Jesus is met by a woman who bathes his feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. Jesus then announces that “her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown” (Luke 7:47). 7:50 Thy faith hath saved thee. 1. (Read Luke 7:36-50) None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. A centurion’s servant is healed. Simon and his guests reclined around a u-shaped table - which was the traditional posture for eating. Let the elements of the narrative develop the story and its meaning for you. The account begins in Luke 7:36-38 by telling us that Jesus went to supper with sinners. Ancient Middle Eastern hospitality demanded that a guest be welcomed with a friendly kiss, foot washing, and fragrant oil. All her tokens of penitence and affection could not, even in the eyes of sinful men, wash away the stain of her life, but the grace of Christ led her to true peace, as her abiding condition (Schaff). This reality contradicts the teachings of so many sectarian teachers who proclaim that we can only be saved by Jesus' physical body dying on the cross. While the Pharisee sees this as shocking behavior, Jesus explains that the woman is expressing loving gratitude in response to the forgiveness of her sins. "And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Subjectively she was already in this condition through her faith (Luke 7:50), and her love was the result thereof (Luke 7:47); but the objective assurance, the declared absolution on the part of the forgiver, now completed the moral deliverance (Luke 7:50) which her faith had wrought. Do you relate more to the religious leader Simon, or to the sinful woman? Luke 7:50, NASB: "And He said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'" 1. This is a story of contrasts -- the self-righteous Pharisee vs. a sinful woman, formal hospitality vs. overflowing love, self-worth through righteous living vs. self-worth through forgiveness. Luke 7 – The Sick Healed, the Dead Raised, the Sinner Forgiven A. Her faith brought her to the feet of Christ, a contrite and weeping sinner.