Jesus’s teaching on Forgiveness of sin

 

BACKGROUUND

 

The opularity of Jesus is getting greater.

 

It was in the middle of the second year of Jesus's public ministry.

Jesus did many miracles especially at Capernaum.

He healed the lepers, and the servant of a certain centurion who was sick.

He raised the son of a widow at Nain from the dead.

Because of these marvelous miracles, Jesus was getting popular especially among the poorer people or people with low status in society.

 

The Jewish custom of welcoming guests.

 

The Jews had their own custom of welcoming their guests.

 

Firstly, they would give their guests water to wash their hands and feet.  The Jews wore sandals so their feet would be covered with dirt.

 

Secondly, after had their hands and feet washed, the Jews would greet their guests with kisses on the cheek. It is an expression of friendliness.

 

Lastly, the Jews would provide olive oil for their guests. It was to lubricate ther hair, and had their hair shined

 

These are the custom of the Jews welcoming their guests which happened before a meal.

Simon the pharisee invited Jesus to his house, but did not welcome Jesus according to the Jewish custom.

 

The woman glorified Jesus

 

When inviting a special guest, it is not uncommon that the people in the town will know.

The news that Jesus was invited to Simon's house may have known to the public.

Many people would  gather at the house, and see in through the opened windows.

The woman was one of them who came and saw what Simon did to Jesus. 

She went in to Jesus and washed his feet with tears and wipe them with her hairs.

She kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

 

BODY

 

First, forgiveness of sin is not through work but mercy.

 

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee(40a).

Jesus wanted to teach the lesson of forgiveness of sin  to Simon.

Thus, He told Simon a parable.

 

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.  (v41-42a)

 

In this parable, there were three facts.

The first is there are two debtors.

The second is the both debtors had no ability to pay the creditor.

The last is both debtors are forgiven.

 

Jesus wanted to teach Simon from the parable that all men are sinners.

 

As the scripture says:

 

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

Simon’s understanding of salvation or forgiveness of sin has to be corrected.  Forgiveness of sin is by having faith in Jesus Christ through the mercy of God.

 

Ephesians 3:23

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

 

Second, forgiveness of sin is assured with one’s changed life.

 

Jesus wanted to teach the doctrine of forgiveness of sin to the woman who came to Him.

The  problem with her was that she had no conviction of the forgiveness of sin.

 

In verse 48, Jesus said to the woman,

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven(v48)

 

In verse 50,

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace(v50)

 

The tense  in verse 48 and 50 in Greek are perfect tense.

Perfect tense is used to describe a competed action happened in the past, and the result is still in effect all the way to the present. 

According to this tense, she had already been saved before she came to Jesus. 

 

Why did Jesus announce to her that she was forgiven.

 

Do we need to be saved repeatedly?

No! Our salvation is a one time event.

Why did Jesus say to her, “Thy sins are forgiven.”?

 

Jesus taught the woman that her deed was the sign of salvation.

Our salvation is confirmed with our changed life.

The woman thanked Jesus and offered gift to Him was the sign that she was saved.

 

It was necessary that her salvation was assured.

 

Third, forgiveness of sin is convicted by words.

 

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace(v50).

 

The preposition “In” in the phrase “go in peace”, in Greek is  εἰς, which means ‘into’.

So, the literal translation is, ’go into peace’.

 

She was no peace because she had committed sin in the past.

Many bible scholars think that she could be the harlot.

It is because of her life, she was not sure if she was saved.

 

Jesus teaches her that salvation is not by works but by faith.

When she believed that salvation was by works, she was not able to have the assurance of her salvation.

 Now, she understood that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, she did not have to doubt if she is saved or not.

 

We are saved  through  faith in Jesus Christ, not through  works.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Jesus taught the woman  the true doctrine of salvation.

It is very important to learn and know the right and true doctrine for the good of our spiritual life.

If we do not, we will not go into peace.

 

Jesus did not permit her to commit sins again.

In John 8, Jesus said to the woman taken in the very act of adultery.

Jesus said, 

 

John 8:11b

Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Sinners who are saved by faith must live a sanctified life.

This is another doctrine to be taught in other scripture.

The point that Jesus tried to make in this account is the matter of  forgiveness.

The woman who anointed Jesus’s feet with ointment must understand the doctrine of forgiveness.

As salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ not works, the woman has to learn to trust Jesus and live in peace that is of God.

 

Application

 

Our Lord Jesus came and visited us first.

We did not respect Him, but insulted, ridiculed, and slandered Him.

 

We are  to be judged and punished eternally for our sin.

However, Jesus loves us.

He forgives our sins.

 

We do not need to worry or doubt our salvation, as we are saved by faith through Jesus Christ.

We can have peace with God by following  our Lord Jesus, as we believe in the promised words of God.

 

Conclusion

 

We learnt the doctrine of forgiveness of sin which Jesus taught.

Jesus knew that we have struggle with the understanding of the salvation by faith, and not by works.

Jesus was willing to come and minister to us, and died for our sin on the cross.  

We should give praise to our living God who loves us.