Wisdom is Justified by all her children

 Luke 7: 40-43

And Jesus answered and said to him “Simon, I have something to say to you. So he said, ‘Teacher, say it.”  “There was a certain creditor who had debtors; one owed five hundred denari and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgive them both. Tell Me, therefore , which of them will love him more?

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, “You are have rightly judge.”

Who was Simon? (Luke 7:36)

What did the Pharisee believe?

What does the law says about repayment of debt? (Deuteronomy 15:1-3, 23:19-20)

How much did the men owe their creditor?

Simon recognized Jesus as a teacher, who had influence on the people, so he invited him to his house. Jesus in turn, recognized what influence Simon as a Pharisee had on the people; therefore, Jesus told Simon about two men who were indebted to their creditor but unable to repay their debts and the creditor released them of their debt.  Simon thought that the man who owes more debt would love the Lord more than the man who owes less debt. The Lord confirmed his assumption was accurate and He also used this story to reveal truth that would set Simon free.

Did you know?

One denarius was a typical day’s wage for a labor?

Jesus, through this lesson, conveys salvation cannot be earned. It is by grace you have been saved, it is not of works, but a gift of God. God graciously forgive our sin through Jesus Christ with no effort from us. God demonstrated His love for us in that, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. The debtor choice to release the financial burden from the two men led to a change in their financial status.  In a similar way, the creditor can be liken to (God) who releases us (the debtors) from the “sin debt” through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sin.  This release from the sin-debt changes our status from being the sons of disobedience to the sons of God, who are reconcile to God through Jesus Christ.  Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things pass away, behold, and all things become new. God gift to the world for the “sin debt is the acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior; this acceptance of Christ will give you life now and the life, which is to come.

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 John 1:12

But as many as received Him to them He gave the rights to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

2 Corinthians 5: 19

That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Him not imputing their trespasses to them and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Luke 7:44-46

Then He turns to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You give Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with fragrant oil.

Jesus acknowledged Simon judge rightly in the previous story, based on the influence of the law, however, Jesus wanted to convey a much more deeper message.

So He addressed Simon once again, and said: Simon do you see this woman? He asked Simon a rhetorical question to reveal the inner thoughts of Simon’s heart which was contrary to scripture. Simon innately criticized Jesus for allowing a sinner in His presence. He questioned Jesus ability to discern right from wrong as a prophet “This man if He was a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner” (Luke 7: 39) Simon innately criticized Jesus for defiling his dinner by permitting a sinner to touch him. Simon being self absorbed did not recognized Christ as the Son of Man who is “God in the flesh “ as a result, he did not perceive the fulfillment of prophecy in his home. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bare a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated “God with us”(Isaiah 7, 14, Matthew 1:23)

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.

Simon, a leader in the society, a teacher of the law, with good reputation, did not meet the Lord’s expectation. “To whom much is given much is expected.”  Simon did not accept, respect and honor Jesus in his home, but rather, he question Jesus reputation as a teacher, a prophet and the Son of Man. Scripture instructs us to not compare ourselves with each other, but Jesus compare Simon response to Him to that of the woman’s to not only reveal the condition of Simon’s heart but also to sanctify him by truth, the word of God is truth, truth that set Him free.

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy Simeon made about Him, that is “He would reveal the thoughts of many hearts.” (Luke 2:35).

The Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out. (Proverbs 20:5)

1 John 5:20

 We now also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in him who is true be being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

The woman despite her shortcoming, came humbly before Jesus, and lavishly worship and adore Him in the presence of naysayers.  She honored Christ by giving him her best .She recognized who Jesus was and in faith worship Him as the Son of Man. “Therefore, having being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). With tears of repentance, tears of joy, couple with tears of thanksgiving, she diffuse the knowledge of Christ in Simon ‘s home:

• Christ calls sinners to repentance- “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32)
• Christ accepts all who comes to Him in faith –Therefore; He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always live to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
• Christ desires all men to be saved – For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  (John 3:17)
• In Christ, there is no condemnation- there is therefore, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8: 1)
• In Christ, there is redemption and forgiveness of sin- in whom we have through His blood and forgiveness of sins.  (Colossians 1:14)

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jews nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all on in Christ.

Galatians 4:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Luke 7:34

The Son of Man has come to eating and drinking and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of a tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by all her children.’

Luke 7:48-50

Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same love little. Then He said to her: “Your sins are forgiven “ Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, who is this man who even forgives sin? And He said to the woman “Your faith has saved you, Go in peace”

The word of God changes us, as we mediate and act upon it. The word transforms us as we repent from our old ways of thinking into a new way of viewing the world through the lens’s of scripture. Applications of the word will guide us to make decision that is good and acceptable in the sight of God. Jesus, in the two comparative stories, the creditor and the two debtors, and Simon and the woman, demonstrated that He is, the Son of Man, who has the power on earth to forgive sin and through Him, we are justified by faith and we have peace with God.

Christ interaction with the woman shows in Christ, there is forgiveness of sin and unconditional love. In Christ, we are reconciled to God and our relationship with God is restored and in Christ, we have peace with God, because the wrath of God has been removed from us. Like peeling of an onion, Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of Man, to change the misconception the society had about His identity His purpose and His message.  Jesus question to you today is: who do you say I am?

Comparative Study between Simon and the Woman

Simon	The Woman	Scripture
Had a haughty heart	Had a humble heart	(Luke 7:39) He spoke to himself saying, “This Man, if He is a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is touching Him, for she is a sinner.   (Luke 7:37-38) And behold, a woman in the city was a sinner, who knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s how, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil   (Proverbs 29:23) A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Gave me no water for my feet	Washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head	Foot washing was a sign of honor, respect and hospitality.   Genesis (18:4,19:2.) Abraham and Lot washed the feet of angels.    (1 Samuel 25:41) Abigail washed the feet of David in humanity.   (John 13: 3-15.) Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and commands us to do the same in service
You give Me no kiss	This woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in	The cultural custom involved a kiss of greeting. This was a sign of acceptance.    (Genesis 27:27) Isaac Kissed Jacob and blessed him. (Genesis 45:15) Joseph kissed his brothers and forgives them. (Luke 15:20) The Father kissed the prodigal in compassion for him (1 Corinthians 16:20) Greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 10:15) How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Who bring glad tiding of good things!
You did not anoint My head with oil	This woman has anointed my feet with fragrant oil.	Anointing of head was a common practice of hospitality and also a symbol of power.    (Isaiah 61:1) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good tidings to the poor and He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.   (Samuel 16:13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. (Mark 14:8) She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial.