Dr. Luke shares another account of the life of Jesus.

This one is about what happened when Jesus was invited to dinner at Simon’s house.

“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.””

Luke 7:36-40 ESV

Yes, Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus for a meal. Jesus accepted the invitation. Jesus was not an ordinary house guest. Simon did not consider this. If you knew everything the person speaking to you was thinking-would you go to His house for a meal like Jesus did? Jesus knew everything Simon had ever done and will do. He knew every thought Simon ever had or will have. He knew the thoughts Simon would have of Him at the dinner. Yet, Jesus went with him.

Jesus also knew the woman of the city was coming. Jesus knew the woman’s heart. He knew what she would do. He also knew what Simon would think about it. And knowing these things, Jesus took His place at Simon’s table. Did we say Jesus knew what Simon thought? It is important.  Simon could have simply told Jesus out loud & to His face what he was thinking. Be delighted to see how the Creator and Savior of the world loved Simon.  Jesus did not scold or berate Simon for his thoughts. Be delighted because this is exactly the way Jesus treats you and I. Instead of scolding or becoming insulted, Jesus spoke to Simon,

“I have something to say to you.”

What have you been thinking about today? Have you had an argument with another person? Perhaps you’ve thought or even spoken critical words about or to that person. Whether you’ve invited Him or not, Jesus is nearby. He knows our name. He leans over and says to us (__________) (put your name in the blank-I’ll use mine.) David, I have something to say to you.” And we answer, “Say it teacher.”

Simon is the subject of these verses.

But it is really about us…

This account from Luke happened long ago. The application is for you. It’s for me.

Since Simon had invited Jesus, doesn’t it seem logical that Jesus had a place next to him? In a conversational tone, and knowing what Simon was thinking-Jesus turned to Simon and said these words: “Simon, I have something to say to you.” Jesus didn’t tell him, “I know what you think of me.” While the rest of the guests ate and talked, it seems to me that Jesus told Simon this parable-just for Simon…

““A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 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 wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.””

Luke 7:41-50 ESV

Yes, others heard what Jesus said, we have this account in the Bible because of it. But these words were for Simon- because Jesus knew he had judged Him for letting the woman touch Him. If we could summarize what Jesus said to Simon what would that summary be? It might be something like this-

No matter if you have sinned much or little-I love you- “Your sins are forgiven.”

Long ago, Jesus told Simon a parable. The very next thing He did was forgive the sins of the woman-His last words to her were, “Your faith has saved you.” Simon heard and saw it all. We don’t know what Simon did with what Jesus said to him. It does not matter; this account is for us. What will we do with these words?

Today, Jesus intends His words for us. “I have something to say to you.”

No matter-whether your sins are great or small…Jesus will forgive them. When we come to Jesus in repentance like the woman; Jesus says to us, “Your sins are forgiven…your faith has saved you…go in peace.”

How was that woman’s life after her meeting with Jesus? Then what can ours be like after meeting Jesus?

Oh, this is important…

Just before Jesus went to Simon’s house, Jesus reminded those listening that He had been called a “friend of sinners.” This is the verse: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Luke 7:34. It doesn’t matter what you or I have done. Nothing will keep Jesus from being our friend. We can come to Him just like the “woman of the city” Simon was upset about. He still is the friend of sinners.