A sermon summary edited by Steve Fountain, originally preached April 7, 2013 called "Two Kinds of People and Two Kinds of Hearts," from Luke 7:24-50.
Why do people attend church on Easter, Christmas or for a
special event, but rarely — if ever — show up in between? What did the crowd
come to hear? What did they come
to see?
Jesus asks these type of questions to people once the
messengers of John the Baptist departed (verses 24-28). His questions not
only underscore the transition from the last and greatest prophet of promise —
John — to the fulfillment of that promise — Jesus — but cut to the heart of our
heart issue: what kind of people are we? All of Israel heard John, but not all responded (vv.
29-30).
The “big people” with earthly power and position refused to
say “God’s way is right.” They are
unforgiven, destitute, and become the object of contempt.
The “little people” who have an eager-willingness to say
“God’s way is right” receive forgiveness, restoration, and becomes the object
of favor.
The generation of Jesus is no different than our own (vv.
31). There will always be two kinds of people: spoiled brats and
the grateful and submissive. Jesus likens them to children to illustrate the
point. (verses 32-34).
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and
calling to one another, griping, complaining and never happy. They refuse to address the fundamental
problems of their life: they want their way, not God’s way.
In contrast, (verse 35) wisdom is used to deliver two meanings. First, it refers to the
counsel of God that establishes great blessing for those who repent and seek
the forgiveness of sin. Second, wisdom is also being used as shorthand
for God himself.
Those who come to Jesus because they know that they need His
gift of salvation come like a child who has a tender heart. It is very
significant that Jesus will say later in Luke “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall
not enter into it” (Luke 18:17).
Immediately after contrasting two types of children, Luke
gives us an inside view of two true-life heart repsonses: a prostitute and a Pharisee
named Simon.
Simon is hosting the dinner. Since there was no social media to advertise one’s opulence,
the doors of the house were open for people to come and go — and for all to
see. In wanders a woman of
the city — a woman known as “a
sinner” — a prostitute. She came because she knew she would find Jesus at
Simon’s table.
Why she came, we are not initially told; however, it will be
found out eventually. But the fact
that she did come was remarkable, and it would have taken a lot of
courage. And when she arrived, the tenderness and brokenness of her heart could not be contained. In verse 37-38, we see she brought a
flask of ointment, with the purpose of anointing his feet. But when she arrives
she sees that they have not even been cleaned by Jesus’ host, she begins to
weep uncontrollably. She uses her hair and tears to wash His feet.
Simon's thoughts head toward indignation “A prophet, indeed
— if he were, he would know what sort of woman this is who is touching him —
she is a sinner — a prostitute.” Jesus, knowing Simon's thoughts, reveals the hardness of his
heart through a parable about two debtors. (verse 40-43).
Both debtors find that their debt has been cancelled. One's
debt is six times larger than the others. Jesus asks: “Which of the two is more
appreciative?”
Simon answers cautiously, because as a Pharisee, he was used
to trick questions: “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt”
(v.
43).
Simon is congratulated by Jesus, but then finds that the rug
is pulled out from under him (vv. 44-46). This woman, who has said
nothing throughout the entire story, has in fact said a thousand words? Of the two hearts, which demonstrated the greatest
appreciation? Was it the soft
heart, or the hard heart?
She has been described three
times as a sinner, and three times
it is said that she has been forgiven —
not through works, but by faith. Jesus clears all confusion with the closing
words of the chapter. “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (v. 50).
What kind of child are you? A proud Pharisee or a repentent
prostitute? It is important to recognize that all debtors are forgiven — and
those who compare themselves with
others are not wise.
The appreciation for the depth of your sin and forgiveness
should be growing. If not, beware,
for the deceitfulness of sin can quickly harden your heart.
