“The Chosen” – Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

 What is “The Chosen”?

According to gotquestions.org, “The Chosen is a television show about the life of Christ. Season 1, released in 2019 (with a pilot episode on the birth of Christ released in 2017), garnered attention for several reasons: it is the first TV show of its kind, presenting the life of Christ over multiple seasons (it plans seven seasons total); it was crowd-funded, bringing in more donations (over $40 million as of 2023) than any other media project ever; it is the first series to be launched in every country simultaneously via its own app (with over 108 million views so far in 180 countries); and it is being praised for its engaging storytelling.” https://www.gotquestions.org/The-Chosen.html

According to imdb.com, “The Chosen is a historical drama based on the life of Jesus and those who knew him. Set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel, the series shares an authentic look at Jesus' revolutionary life and teachings.” 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9471404/

Why and How do Many Promote “The Chosen”?

Again, from that same source: “As with all storytelling based on historical events, some artistic license is evident. In The Chosen, there is often a tremendous amount of artistic license. In retelling the gospel accounts, the writers have inserted or modified some characters, storylines, and details of the inspired original. The changes are designed to give each episode a feeling of being grounded in real life.

“One example of these artistic choices is that the disciple Matthew is depicted as a young man on the Asperger’s/autism spectrum. There is no direct biblical evidence that Matthew had this disorder, but it is a plausible detail, so the writers felt comfortable using artistic license to insert this additional trait to Matthew’s character.

“Since no one is claiming that the show is God’s Word or that it is on par with the Bible, the creators of The Chosen believe such license is acceptable, and even expected in a medium such as television. As long as viewers remember that what they are seeing is art and not real life—and they compare what they view with Scripture—there is no danger of confusion. We should all know intuitively that, for all its historical accuracy and attention to cultural context, The Chosen is simply one idea from one group of people about what they think it might have been like to be near Jesus.

“Dramatizations of biblical events such as are presented in The Chosen provide an opportunity for sharing the gospel with those who otherwise might not be exposed to the Bible. For believers, such dramatizations can promote spiritual growth, reminding us that the Bible is more than just a story—it relates actual events in the lives of real people who had emotions, relationships, and concerns similar to ours.”  

https://www.gotquestions.org/The-Chosen.html

Movieguide.org reports the show’s description as given by Dallas Jenkins, the creator/producer of the series. “[The Chosen] starts working through the storyline of how Nicodemus attempts to exorcise Mary Magdalene’s demons and fails. Then he comes across her later and sees that she is a different person, and so we’re like, what are some of the things he would say and how would she describe it,” Jenkins said.

“What we try to do with The Chosen is not only give you these moments from scripture but set them up in a way that when they happen, they really make sense and they really have an emotional resonance in addition to spiritual resonance,” Jenkins added.

Jenkins believes that this emphasis is what makes The Chosen good TV rather than a Bible narrative that has little reach outside of the Christian audience.

“In TV and movies, if all you’re doing is just reenacting a historical moment that you know about from history, or from the Bible, it might be interesting to watch but it probably won’t emotionally resonate because you don’t have a connection to the characters. You don’t know the why of what they’re doing,” he explained. “If you can help [audiences] understand what the stakes are for each of the characters in the scene, it makes it even more personal.”

https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/what-the-first-line-ever-written-for-the-chosen-tells-fans.html

Why be Concerned About “The Chosen”?

According to Dallas Jenkins, the added elements in The Chosen cause the actual scriptural events to “make sense” in a way that they would not if one simply read and studied the four gospel accounts. These non-biblical inventions provide an “emotional resonance” that is lacking in inspired scripture. They make the true accounts of Jesus’ life “even more personal.”

When a biblical “dramatization” is primarily fictional in content, there are, to me at least, some serious implications. One is that the four inspired gospels themselves are lacking something. They need enhancement and improvement in order to make Jesus more real, more personal, and more authentic. God’s inspiration needs man’s imagination to be truly effective. The gospel’s uniqueness is minimized.

The supportive statements quoted above suggest that the fiction in The Chosen serves to enhance and improve the non-fiction of the gospels. Simply retelling the material in the Spirit-given gospels would have “little reach outside of the Christian audience.” Think about that! Adding man-made ideas, thoughts, background and characters makes the life of Jesus more attractive and more interesting to non-Christians.

Let's say we want to make Jesus more “relatable,” and we know that many people have family members with autism. How can we connect these people and families to Jesus? The solution in The Chosen is to pick an apostle - why not Matthew? - and then to depict him as autistic. And for added emphasis, let’s have Jesus involve Matthew in His preparation of the Sermon on the Mount. That may be interesting, but is it true? Do we need fictional material to add dimensions to Jesus' life and the lives of others in order to attract those in our world who do not know the biblical Jesus?

How much extra fictional material, one may ask? Jenkins stated without apology that, as of July, 2022, “Those extra-Biblical portions comprise 95% of what's been in the show thus far.”

https://www.christianfilmblog.com/post/harsh-criticism-of-the-chosen-draws-emotional-response-from-dallas-jenkins

Again, to Dallas Jenkins, the overwhelming portion of made-up stuff – 95% – is a good thing, to the show’s credit, because the made-up stuff makes Jesus more appealing.

A second concern has to do with the resulting confusion as to what is true (biblical, the 5%) and what is untrue (fiction, the 95%). When one who is new to the Bible sees a scene in The Chosen that really “speaks to their heart,” and then asks me, “Is that true? Where is that in the Bible?” I would have to say, “No, it’s pure fiction, and it’s not in the Bible.” The newcomer may then ask, “Well, what about this … or that … or the other?” Time and again, I would have to respond, “No, it’s not in the Word of God. It’s just something that human scriptwriters thought would make Jesus more real, authentic, and personal.” From that point on, the newcomer may be more devoted to watching The Chosen than to studying the truth about Jesus in scripture.

In our age, video with sights and sounds can seem more engaging than printed materials. Many of us would rather see a movie than read the book on which that movie is based. Television is a powerful medium, and we would do well to recognize its influence.

Another implication is that viewers may decide to follow a filtered Jesus, one who is seen, edited, and interpreted by modern scriptwriters. Of course, our goal is for each person to meet the real Jesus, unedited and unfiltered, as seen and described by the original, first-century eyewitnesses. The old, reliable question, “Have you studied the Bible?” gives way to the new, exciting question, “Have you watched The Chosen?”

Let’s ask some more specific questions.

Think of the details added to the gospel accounts. Should it bother us, for example, for people to be taught that Nicodemus attempted to exorcise Mary Magdalene’s demons but failed? Or that Nicodemus’ wife was named Zohara? Has anyone ever told you that Jesus’ disciple Thaddeus was a stonemason … that “Little James” (James the son of Alphaeus) was a member of the “288 Jerusalem Temple Choir” … that Thomas (the doubter) was a caterer … or that Ramah was a former winemaker from Tel Dor, the deceased partner of Thomas, and one of the women helping Jesus's ministry?

Should others be told that Eden was the wife of Simon Peter, the daughter of Dasha … that Nathanael was a former architect … that Judas Iscariot was a former business apprentice … that the healed paralytic in Capernaum (Mark 2:1-12) was named Ethan … or that this same Ethan had an Ethiopian friend named Tamar?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Chosen_characters

Would it be okay to show Jesus needing to take time to write down and rehearse the Sermon on the Mount … or Jesus asking for Matthew’s assistance with it … or Matthew himself as a person who was actually on the Asperger’s/autism spectrum? The claim is that Matthew’s autism makes Jesus more “relatable,” but does that justify adding it?

https://www.christianfilmblog.com/post/harsh-criticism-of-the-chosen-draws-emotional-response-from-dallas-jenkins

Has This Kind of “Improvement” Been Offered Before?

Actually, using pure human fiction to “fill in the gaps” in Jesus’ life is not new. Since the gospels provided no details about Jesus’ youth before age 12 or His life between ages 12 and about 30, others stepped in to complete what was seen as lacking, using their imagination as to what they thought “might have happened.”

Way back in the second century a fictional work appeared, called The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. It describes Jesus as a child having a dialogue with his teacher in front of other pupils about the nature of the Greek alphabet. In one episode Jesus makes clay birds, which he then proceeds to bring to life. There are other miracles, in which Jesus carries water on cloth, produces a feast from a single grain, and stretches a beam of wood to help his father finish constructing a bed. In this fictional writing, Jesus heals James from snake poison, resurrects a child who died of illness, and resurrects a man who died in a construction accident.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infancy_Gospel_of_Thomas

If one were to publish The Infancy Gospel of Thomas or another ancient apocryphal book and suggest it be added to the Bible, of course it would be flatly rejected by most Bible-believing people. Why? Because it’s uninspired fiction, of course!

If promoters argued that such a book made Jesus more real, relatable, authentic, or personal, such an argument would not change the fact that it was of human origin.

How Can “The Chosen” Advance the Gospel?

People are talking about “The Chosen!” You can easily ask your friends if they have seen it. If they have, then ask them what you like about it. Explain to them its nature (fiction) and its purpose (to arouse interest in Jesus). Perhaps offer to watch a couple of episodes with them to see what’s in it and what they like about it.

Ask them if they want to know more about Jesus.

Then ask them something like this. “Wouldn’t it be fascinating to learn about Jesus from the eyewitnesses, those people who knew Him, who watched Him, and who followed Him in person? Let’s pick either Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John and begin reading and studying about Jesus from those who were there with Him!”

 

Saved "By Grace Through Faith" - but WHEN?

Saved By Grace Through Faith – But WHEN?

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s the greatest news ever told or heard! God saves lost people — as His free gift. We sinners cannot deliver ourselves, and we cannot earn God’s favor by works. No one can boast of having paid even the least part of the cost of everlasting life. Without Jesus Christ we are “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1-3). And yet God, because of His rich mercy, love, and grace, is able and willing to bring us dead sinners to life (Ephesians 2:4-10)!

Many people who love God, attend church services, and hear sermons week after week, treasure the precious words from Ephesians 2:8-9, cited above. Many realize that salvation is based on God’s generosity and that it is received through personal faith. That’s beyond question.

However, sincere people differ drastically over the question, “When does that happen?”

The question before us now is not what saves us – that’s grace – or even by what means – that’s faith. Our question is when. When is one saved by grace through faith? When does one connect to God’s grace by faith and receive the free gift of salvation?

Before we see the Bible’s answer, let’s review all of Ephesians 2. It basically tells us three things twice: what we were, what God did, and, if we are Christians, who we are now as a result.

Eph 2:1-3 What we were. 

Eph 2:4-9 What God did. 

Eph 2:10 Who we are now.

Then again:

Eph 2:11-12 What we were. 

Eph 2:13-18 What God did. 

Eph 2:19-22 Who we are now.

It is emphatically clear that we once were dead in our own sins, disobedient, following our own desires, and deserving of God’s wrath. We were separate from Christ, having no hope, without God, in the world, far from God. We were totally helpless.

It is equally clear that God, because He is rich in mercy and love, can make dead sinners alive, raise them with Christ, and even seat them with Christ in heavenly places.

The power is in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His blood purchased our forgiveness and paid our debt. His resurrection guaranteed and confirmed that victory.

Because of what He did for us, we can become God’s workmanship. Strangers once lost in sin can be transformed into fellow citizens in God’s family with all the saints! We can serve, and grow, and worship, as part of His church!

Now let’s go back to our question. It’s not what, but when.

When is a person saved by grace through faith?

A gift must be received. There has to be a point at which it changes hands from the giver to the recipient. What is that point of time, when it comes to being saved? When is a lost, dead sinner made alive with Christ and raised with Christ?

Ephesians 2 does not answer that question. It just does not. It tells us the why, the who, and the what of salvation, but not the when. It tells us the means – “through faith” – but not how and when that faith receives salvation. Of course, Paul wrote this letter to those who already knew when they were saved. They did not need to be told.

Some teach today that the “when” is the moment of one’s initial faith, without any expression of that faith. One senses that he or she has been “born again” in the heart. That subjective feeling of joy or peace becomes the basis for that person’s assurance of salvation. He or she may say, “I know I’m saved because I feel saved.”

Others teach today that one initially receives salvation when he or she prays the so-called “Sinner’s Prayer,” or makes a “decision for Christ,” or “asks Christ into one’s heart.” They realize that one must express faith in some way, that one cannot base one’s assurance on a subjective faith feeling.

However, these popular responses to the gospel, though they are widely accepted, are not found anywhere in the Bible. They were invented by men who either overlooked or else rejected the Bible’s own perfectly clear teaching.

What is that teaching? To find the Bible’s answer, not our own, we must look for a passage parallel to Ephesians 2 that tells us when one is saved by grace through faith.

We do not have to go far to find it.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians is something of a “sister letter” to Ephesians. Both were written during the same time, when Paul was in prison in Rome. He addressed both letters to churches in Asia Minor that were primarily composed of Gentiles. He covered many similar themes and used many identical phrases in both Ephesians and Colossians. Let’s notice some of the parallels.

Ephesians 2 speaks of being dead in trespasses and these Gentiles having been uncircumcised. So does Colossians.

Ephesians 2 says we are saved by the blood of Christ through faith. So does Colossians.

Ephesians 2 says we are made alive and raised with Christ. So does Colossians.

The difference is that Colossians tells us very specifically when.

With an open Bible and an open mind, setting aside for a moment whatever you may have been taught before, read for yourself what the Word of God teaches.

Colossians 2:11 … and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.

According to this Scripture, when is a person saved by grace through faith? When is a dead sinner buried, raised with Christ, and made alive? This takes place “by grace through faith” when one is baptized (immersed in water). Now we know. We have seen it for ourselves. It is so simple and so clear.

Once you see it in Ephesians and Colossians, you will see it again and again.

It’s in Galatians.

Gal 3:1-14 Through faith, not works. Similar to Ephesians 2.

Gal 3:15-21 Through faith, by grace. Again, similar to Ephesians 2.

When? Where? How?

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

When does a person become a child of God “by grace through faith?” It is when that person is clothed with Christ or puts on Christ in baptism (immersion in water).

It’s in Romans.

Rom 3:23-24 By grace.

Rom 5:1 Through faith.

When? Where? How?

Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

When does a person come “into Christ Jesus,” “into His death?” In baptism.

When does a person rise from death to begin his or her new life? In baptism.

It’s in Titus.

Tit 2:11 By grace.

Tit 1:1 Through faith.

When? Where? How?

Tit 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The “washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” in Titus 3:5 parallels Jesus own teaching. He told Nicodemus in John 3:5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Of course, water itself does not have the power to save. It is God who saves “by grace through faith.” But when? When “one is born of water and the Spirit.” The context makes clear that Jesus through His disciples was baptizing people in water, even more people than John the Baptizer!

Jn 3:22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—

Jn 4:1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were) …

It’s in Acts.

In Acts 16:30, the jailer in Philippi asked, “What must I do to be saved?”

In Acts 16:31, Paul and Silas said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Then the Bible records how and when the jailer and his household believed in (put their faith in) the Lord Jesus.

Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

Salvation is a gift, purchased by Christ, and free for the taking. Yet it must be accepted as God’s Word teaches.

Perhaps you, like many others, were told to “receive Christ” in some other way, through a “sinner’s prayer” or a “decision for Christ.” Perhaps, at some later point, you were baptized, but you did not understand the biblical rationale and purpose for baptism.

Whatever the case, why not follow the simple instructions given in the very first sermon preached in Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost?

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

 

The Auction

1 Jn 5:11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

(I have edited this story. The original author is unknown to me.)

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who owned one of the most valuable art collections in all the world. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

He had just one son, who was very precious to his father. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died. The father was devastated.

One morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I am not a great artist, but I painted this picture of your son. I want you to have it.”

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. And so he did. He considered it to be the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction.

The day soon arrived, and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day. Many would bid much in order to claim, “I have the greatest collection.”

The auction began with a painting that was not on anyone’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke.

From the back of the room someone shouted, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.” More voices echoed in agreement. “No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take this portrait?”

Finally, a man spoke up. “I knew this young man and how much he meant to his father. I only have ten dollars. Will you take it for the painting?" The auctioneer announced, “I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone.” The gavel fell.

Cheers filled the room, and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and bid on these treasures!”

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over. 

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on!”

The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. The father specifically stipulated in his will, “Whoever takes the son, gets it all.”

------

The Father in heaven has made the same announcement regarding His Son. You can collect all the so-called treasures of earth, but without Jesus Christ, you have nothing. On the other hand, if you gain Jesus Christ, in Him you will have everything - and lack nothing - worth having.

“Whoever takes the Son, gets it all.”

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

Mt 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Mt 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

A Savior Who Touches Sinners

What if you could unload, smash, or incinerate every bit of your guilt, every sin, every wrong deed, every poor decision, and every painful experience from your past?

The annual NYC Good Riddance Day took place on Dec. 28, 2017, in New York City's Times Square Broadway Plaza between 45th and 46th Street from noon to 1 p.m. EST. This was its 11th year. Participants bring their funniest, most outlandish or unpleasant items to the event to be shredded.

People could discard anything distasteful, embarrassing, or downright depressing from the past year. Participants brought disappointing report cards, pink slips, photos of old boyfriends or girlfriends, CDs with songs they never wanted to hear again, clothes that were out of style, and fattening foods they had promised to renounce.

Unshreddable stuff could be dropped in a dumpster. Hated, crushable stuff could be pulverized with a sledgehammer. One year Alissa Yakelevits claimed the $250 Grand Prize for the Most Creative entry for saying “good riddance” to her camp leader, who appeared on “America’s Most Wanted.” Others said “good riddance” to cellulite, an SSAT book, the New York Giants’ football season, or just “bad stuff in general.”

Then it was all hauled away. Imagine the resulting freedom and celebration!

All shredded material generated on Good Riddance Day was then baled and sent to nearby recycling plants to be turned into something usable like everyday paper products. For every ton of paper shredded and recycled, 17 trees, 4,100 kilowatts of energy and 3.5 cubic yards of landfill space will be saved. New Yorkers and visitors to the city are invited to this free event where Shred-it will park a mobile shredding truck in Times Square.

What if you could shred, pulverize, haul away, and even recycle everything you’d like to be rid of – every mistake, every failure, and every sin – and be free of it? That is the gospel!

Why be a hoarder, keeping old junk and clutter, that takes up space in your heart and life, that serves as a constant reminder of the baggage you have collected?

Here is a link to the video of this sermon presentation:
https://www.facebook.com/bellevuechurchlife/videos/1819918131391924/?q=bellevue%20church%20of%20christ

Read Luke 7:36-50. 

Let's consider Jesus as "A Savior Who Touches Sinners."

No matter who you are or what you have done, you can come to Jesus in obedient faith and be forgiven.

You can come to Jesus, regardless of past sin, reputation, gender, social circle, or economic level.

Background

The context in Luke 7 sets the stage: Healing the Roman centurion’s slave, raising the widow’s son from Nain, answering John’s question from prison, responding to criticism about His friendship with “sinners.” John the Baptist’s question, Jesus regard­ing John, Jews like children; Jesus charged as glutton, drunkard.

Story unique to Luke. This gospel especially highlights Jesus' interaction with and love for the poor, disadvantaged, disconnected, discouraged, desperate, and disapproved.

An Unlikely Invitation

Lk 7:36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

7:36 The setting: A Pharisee’s house for a meal. Jesus willing to eat with anyone. Other guests present. Courtyard and open ac­cess to the house. Pharisee impolite, judgmental, critical.

Why invite Jesus but not greet Him?

Simon: nine men with this name in NT. All are named after Simeon, one of the 12 sons of Jacob. They are distinguished by descriptive terms. Bar-jonah. The tanner. The leper. The Zealot or the Canaanite. The magician or sorcerer. Of Cyrene. We will call this man “Simon the Pharisee.”

We will not identify him with “Simon the Leper,” in whose home the devout Mary anointed Jesus a short time before His crucifixion. (Matt. 26:6-13)

An Unwelcome Guest

37a And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house …

7:37 Woman enters. A “sinner” whose reputation is known. 

Luke 5:27-32 Levi

Jesus will describe her as having “many sins” (7:47) and a massive “debt” that she cannot repay. We don’t know her name, only her character.

On paper, or in your mind, write down the sins that this woman may have committed.

Now write the sins that you have committed.

How do they compare? Do you see her as a “bigger” sinner than yourself?

How many sins does it take to qualify a person as a “sinner?”

Is it a relative term? Do we think we have no sin? Or fewer sins than others?

Her motivation: Matt 11:28-29; Jesus’ repu­tation. Watched Him with others; waited; followed Him.

What obstacles might have stood in her way? Her fear of facing the Pharisees; her over­whelming sense of guilt ... but she had no doubt that Jesus would receive her! She was so determined to meet Jesus, it did not matter who else was present!

Jesus is approachable. “Just As I Am.”

An Unusual Outpouring

37b … she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

7:38 Her gift: her tears, her burdens, her agony, her kisses, her humble devotion; an alabaster vial of perfume. Wealthy, high-class Roman ladies.

“Take My Life and Let it Be” # 501

alabaster: compact, translucent gypsum often carved into vases. It is very soft and therefore excellent for carving. The color is usually white; but it may be gray, yellow, or red. In the NT a globular perfume flask carved from alabaster is mentioned. Made without handles, it had a long neck that was broken to pour out the perfume. Many articles were fashioned from this stone, including vases, jars, saucers, bowls, lamps, and statues. A harder form of alabaster, found only in Egypt, was used to sculpture a Sphinx.

Perfumes: were made from many different herbs and plants. These plants were imported from such places as Arabia, India, Persia, Ceylon, and Egypt. Perfumes were used especially, but not exclusively, by the rich to cover the unpleasant body odors that resulted from the hot temperatures of Palestine and surrounding regions. Thus, they were applied to the feet (Luke 7:38), the freshly washed body (Ruth 3:3), clothing (Ps. 45:8), couches or beds (Prov. 7:17), the priest’s head (so he would be presentable to God; Ps. 133:2), and even dead bodies (2 Chr. 16:14; John 19:39–40).

An Unfair Assumption

39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

Common belief: A prophet (representing God) would not allow a sinner in his presence. “If the Lord just knew what so-and-so is really like ...” Judging others is easy. Makes us look good. Religious people begin to think they deserve a relationship with God.

Outwardly religious people (Pharisees) can be the greatest obstacle between sinners and Jesus. The woman had no trouble touching Jesus; it was the Pharisee who rejected her!

Church: the broken, the hurting, the poor, the naked, the penitent alcoholic or homosexual.

Narcotics Anonymous: “I’m an addict.”

An Unequal Comparison

40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 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. 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.

Jesus set the stage, preparing Simon for what He was about to tell him.

Jesus very effectively used “third-personing.” He would tell about other people, describe their actionsf, and then ask the listener to finish the story.

Jesus’ story; “My broker is E.F. Hutton ...” Money ... forgiveness. Down-to-earth. Induc­tive. Indirect. Elicits response from the hearer. “What do you think?”

To what degree do we identify with people who are like this woman? Are they comfortable in our midst? To what extent do we relate more to the Pharisee?

Jesus’ stories leave you in a spot! We don’t want to be the woman or the Pharisee! That’s good! Maybe we can be like Jesus, pure ourselves but offering grace to the lost.

Just like the Prodigal Son. Simon is the older brother. The woman is the younger.

Guilt - Grace - Godliness.

Grace motivates. The greater the sense of forgiveness, the greater the love.

Parents toward children. Which child will love his parents more? Prodigal Son.

When your child does wrong, regrets it, and weeps over it, forgive! Embrace! Result? Love.

How can you tell that a person has experienced true forgiveness from God? I am not talking about how to obtain forgiveness, but about how to demonstrate that forgiveness has been given and received. The answer? LOVE.

The more a person loves Jesus, the more obvious it is that that person has been forgiven.

The Christian life is the outward fruit of the experience of forgiveness. Guilt drives us to Grace. Grace drives us to Godliness. I cannot stay “Just As I Am.”

When I approach Jesus, I must bring to Him what this woman brought.

A Willing Confession of Sin

An Obvious Sorrow for Sin

A Yearning for Forgiveness

A No-Matter-What Determination to Meet Jesus

A Gift of Myself and My Best

An Eagerness to Place Myself at His Feet and Anoint Him

I cannot embrace Jesus if I have the traits of Simon the Pharisee.

A Sense of Personal Worthiness Before God

Little or No Sense of Sin or a Need for Forgiveness

A Judgmental Attitude Toward Others

An Unwillingness to Receive Jesus Humbly

It was not the holy Savior who rejected the woman, but a fellow sinner!

To be like Jesus, I must be both close to God and open to sinners.

Jesus touches sinners, not to endorse their sin, but to remove it.

An Undeniable Connection

47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Which comes first? Our love, then forgiveness? No. His forgiveness, then our love.

Love for Jesus is the outward fruit of one’s experience of forgiveness.

The greater one’s sense of personal Guilt ...

And the deeper one’s appreciation for the Savior’s Grace ...

The more intense will be one’s commitment to Godliness.

Conviction. Conversion. Consecration.

An Unimaginable Relief

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The woman, rather than Simon, went home justified. 

Like Luke 18:9-14 - Pharisee, tax collector.

Reversal. Surprise.

Jesus can say to you today, if you are like that woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Do you believe Him? He cannot say that to a Pharisee, who has no sense of need for forgiveness.

Result: guests at table say: “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Simon’s response: not recorded! What do you think?

Faith is the key. “Go in peace.” She had not come that way. She had approached Jesus with guilt, sorrow, shame, unworthiness. She left Him with peace, purpose, promise.

Are you a sinner? Have you thrown yourself at Jesus’ feet? Have you come to look at others as fellow sinners, no more worthy or unworthy than you to come to Jesus?

Can be same for you today! Be determined like that woman! Let nothing stop you!

Admit It … For Your Sake!

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:8-9

Marilyn Manning writes about attending a communications course in which the instructor asked the participants to list anything in their past about which they felt ashamed, guilty, regretful, or incomplete.  As people in the class read their lists, hers grew longer.  After three weeks, she had 101 items on her list!  The instructor then suggested that they find ways to make amends, apologize to people, or right any wrongdoing.  She had visions of alienating just about everyone from her life.

The next week, the man beside her spoke.  He had grown up in a small town in Iowa.  One night, he and two buddies took a can of red paint, climbed the water tank in the middle of town, and wrote on it, in bright red letters, some insulting words about Sheriff Brown, whom they disliked.  The next day, the whole town saw their sign.  When confronted, the two others confessed, but this boy lied, denying the truth.

After carrying this for nearly 20 years, the boy, now grown, attended this communications course.  He didn’t even know if Sheriff Brown was still alive, but he knew he had to try to reach him.  He dialed information in his hometown back in Iowa.  Sure enough, there was a Roger Brown still listed.  He dialed his number. After a few rings, he heard: “Hello?”  He said:  “Sheriff Brown?”  Pause.  “Yup.”  “Well, this is Jimmy Calkins.  And I want you to know that I did it.”  Pause.  “I knew it!” he yelled back.  The two had a good laugh and a lively discussion.  His closing words were: “Jimmy, I always felt bad for you because your buddies got it off their chest, and I knew you were carrying it around all these years. I want to thank you for calling me ... for your sake.’”

Jimmy’s story inspired Marilyn Manning to clear up all 101 items on her list.  It took her almost two years, but it brought her true peace and led to a new career as a conflict mediator.   It’s never too late.  Begin resolution today, both with God and with others.  You’ll be glad you did.

All is Forgiven 800 Pacos

In his short story “The Capital of the World,” Ernest Hemingway tells the story of a Spanish father and his teenage son. The relationship between this father and son became strained and eventually shattered. When the rebellious son--whose name was Paco, a common Spanish name--ran away from home, his father began a long and arduous search to find him. As a last resort the exhausted father placed an ad in a Madrid newspaper, hoping that his son would see the ad and respond to it. The ad read,

Dear Paco, Please meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon. All is forgiven. Love, Father

As Hemingway tells the story, the next day at noon, in front of the newspaper office, there were 800 Pacos, all seeking forgiveness from their fathers.

The forgiven becomes the forgiver.

Tit 3:1-7; 2 Peter 1:5-11

“Out of My Bondage,” # 689; “I Stand Amazed,”

Sinners Jesus Will Receive

Bring Christ Your Broken Life
T.O. Chisolm (1866-1960) lyrics; L. O. Sanderson music

Bring Christ your broken life,

So marred by sin.
He will create anew,
Make whole again.
Your empty wasted years
He will restore,
And your iniquities,
Remember no more

Bring Him your every care
if great or small
whatever troubles you
oh, bring it all
Bring him the haunting fears
the nameless dread
thy heart he will relieve
and lift up thy head

Bring Him your weariness
receive his rest
Weep out your blinding tears
upon his breast
His love is wonderful
his power is great
and none that trust in him shall be desolate

Blest Saviour of us all
almighty friend!
His presence shall be ours
unto the end
without him life would be
how dark how drear
but with him morning breaks
and Heaven is near!