The Trap: Luke 7:36-39
“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. 37) 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, 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. 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.”” Luke 7:36-39
Herein is an interesting story. At first glance, it looks like a kind gesture by a Pharisee who genuinely wanted to get to know Jesus better. But let’s dig a bit deeper.
The nagging question relates to the sinful woman. How and why did she gain admittance into the private house of a Pharisee? She was obviously not a usual guest in his home.
Like the woman caught in adultery, she was most likely being exploited and used to trap Jesus. The problem came when instead of trying to seduce Jesus, she began to weep over her lost condition and adorn Jesus with honor.
The Pharisee used the occasion to judge the woman and condemn Jesus for His apparent lack of character. In the next section, Jesus seized the occasion to expose the deceit and wicked heart of the Pharisee.
But sticking to these verses, we have a huge lesson to learn about religious abuse. Instead of treating people with honor, dignity, respect and compassion, legalistic religion always builds self up by judging and putting others down. It is exploitive and abusive of needy and broken people. It lacks genuine compassion. By nature it is critical and condemning.
Use this story to examine your own heart. How do you treat sinful and broken people? Why are you seeking Jesus? Are you trying to use Him for some selfish motive or gain? Are you looking for fault in Him? Are you using Him to promote yourself or gain a positive reputation? Are you attending church to prospect for future clients or sales?
The mask of a Pharisee is worn by many people. The religious game leaves many victims. So I return to my original question; “How and why was the woman admitted into the Pharisees private home?” Much about this story doesn’t smell right. Merely religious people often have a stench about them!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“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. 37) 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, 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. 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.”” Luke 7:36-39
Herein is an interesting story. At first glance, it looks like a kind gesture by a Pharisee who genuinely wanted to get to know Jesus better. But let’s dig a bit deeper.
The nagging question relates to the sinful woman. How and why did she gain admittance into the private house of a Pharisee? She was obviously not a usual guest in his home.
Like the woman caught in adultery, she was most likely being exploited and used to trap Jesus. The problem came when instead of trying to seduce Jesus, she began to weep over her lost condition and adorn Jesus with honor.
The Pharisee used the occasion to judge the woman and condemn Jesus for His apparent lack of character. In the next section, Jesus seized the occasion to expose the deceit and wicked heart of the Pharisee.
But sticking to these verses, we have a huge lesson to learn about religious abuse. Instead of treating people with honor, dignity, respect and compassion, legalistic religion always builds self up by judging and putting others down. It is exploitive and abusive of needy and broken people. It lacks genuine compassion. By nature it is critical and condemning.
Use this story to examine your own heart. How do you treat sinful and broken people? Why are you seeking Jesus? Are you trying to use Him for some selfish motive or gain? Are you looking for fault in Him? Are you using Him to promote yourself or gain a positive reputation? Are you attending church to prospect for future clients or sales?
The mask of a Pharisee is worn by many people. The religious game leaves many victims. So I return to my original question; “How and why was the woman admitted into the Pharisees private home?” Much about this story doesn’t smell right. Merely religious people often have a stench about them!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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