Jesus and the Pharisee

Monday Morning Moment / Key Takewaway:
Matthew 11:28 - 30 (ESV) 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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Sermon Handout

Scripture(s):
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1
  • Galatians 5:6
  • Luke 7:36-50
  • Luke 7:47
  • Matthew 11:28-30
  • Titus 3:3-6
Sermon Series:
Speaker:
Will Robinson
Date:
03/12/2023

We do not know why Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him. Perhaps he wanted to get to know Jesus better, or perhaps he was hoping to get some new evidence with which to accuse Him. It certainly embarrassed Simon when a notorious sinful woman came into his house to anoint Jesus! This could have been a life-changing experience for Simon, but he was too blind to see the truths involved.

Jesus had spoken His great invitation and it is likely that this sinful woman responded and trusted Jesus. She was transformed and came publicly to Jesus to give Him her love and worship. Having taken His yoke, she came to express her love.

Matthew 11:28 – 30 (ESV)
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Simon said to himself, “She is a sinner”; but he needed to say, “I am a sinner.” In His parable, Jesus made it clear that all of us are in debt to God and are unable to pay because we are spiritually bankrupt. The two debts ($100 vs. $10) represent not the amount of sin, but the awareness of guilt. The woman knew she was guilty of sinning against God, but Simon had no conviction of sin. Yet he desperately needed to be forgiven! And he could have been forgiven if he had humbled himself and trusted Jesus.

Jesus tenderly pointed out Simon’s sins of omission, for he had not treated Jesus with kindness and hospitality. The woman was guilty of sins of the flesh, but Simon was guilty of sins of the spirit: a critical attitude and a hard heart.

2 Corinthians 7:1 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Luke 7: 47 does not teach salvation by works, for Luke 7:50 makes it clear that the woman was saved by her faith. Her works were the proof of her faith, and they were motivated by her love (Gal. 5:6).

Titus 3:3 – 6
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

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