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“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” Luke 7:37-38

Generally, people are judged by the company they keep. If you go to church, lead a sober life, are morally upright and have a clean tongue, you’re considered to be good. It was very much the same in the time of Jesus. Morally loose people were avoided because the more time you spent with them, the more likely you’d become like them. This is the story of Jesus and the ne’er-do-well of his day.

We can see three things about our Saviour:

1. Jesus, the friend of sinners
2. Jesus, the forgiveness of sins
3. Jesus, the faith that saves.

1. Jesus, the friend of sinners.

“The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34). Sometimes, those who oppose Him, identify Jesus correctly. Some demons knew He was the son of God before the disciples did. He spent time with sinners. “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13). It is a world full of self-righteous people. They didn’t need what He had to offer, they didn’t need Him as a friend. He came to the home of Zaccheus (Luke 19:5). This little man was a big crook, working for the occupational forces of Rome. He embezzled money out of his own flesh and blood, but Jesus went to his home.

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,” (Luke 7:37). Would you commend your love for such a person as that, a piece of street garbage? Jesus befriended those who you and I might not be seen dead with. Do you think He could be friend you? Some say, ‘You can keep your religion, you can keep your Jesus. I don’t need what He’s got to offer.’

Paul was guilty of second-degree murder, the one who sanctioned the death of the first man to die for Christ. Yet he later wrote, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10). Jesus is the one we have considered our enemy in the past, who says guilty as charged, yet He becomes the means of our peace and acquittal. He is the one who came to bear our sin and take it away from us. What a friend we have in Jesus, the friend of sinners. Have you made him your friend in this gospel?

• Jesus, the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus sticks closer than a brother. Here is a woman who sold herself daily, from the red light district, even then. Jesus forgave her sins, then she showed the fruit of repentance. Her many sins were forgiven. This is evidence of who Jesus is. He is God Incarnate. In showing forgiveness, He is showing He is God. Are you aware that God, who alone can forgive you, is the friend of sinners?

When our brother died on the cross, He shed His blood for our sins. He was bringing us back to God. You are alienated if you are not His friend. He was bringing us back to God, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18). Do you know what it is to be brought back to God?

The reaction of Simon, the Pharisee, was understandable. But Jesus says to Simon, “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”  (Luke 7:41-43). The man who owed the most was forgiven and had such a sense of gratitude. We shouldn’t forget how much we were in debt to the Lord Jesus Christ – every little sin, every big sin. The enormity of our sins were crushing, yet He can sort everyone’s past, present and future sin.

I wonder if this woman had met Jesus before and had come back to thank him? Simon did not thank Jesus, “Then 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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  (Luke 7:44-48). Simon gave no water for His feet, no kiss, no oil. Our love and adoration for Christ is shown in the giving of our lives to him. Does your heart go out in gratitude to him?

• Jesus, the faith that saves.

“And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48). As this experience peaks, Jesus forgave her and her sins and made it a public proclamation. How did she go home? ^“And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50). Where does faith come from? Faith comes from and through the gospel. Repentance and faith are not always mentioned together, but they are implied together. When God brings you to repentance He brings you into the state of godly sorrow – repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. It takes us to Calvary and we put our whole weight of sin upon him. This is the grace of God that comes to us, from heaven, the gospel which lands into our soul, “Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21).

“Go in peace.” You have been justified through faith in His blood. You are no longer enemies but as one. You know the atonement, brought one with God. His peace, the fruit of the Spirit, is always in blossom. There is something sovereign about it. It may be that you have lost that peace? It can be restored, it can reign. He says, “Go in peace.” Can you go in peace this morning? If you want that peace, God gives you that peace because He is the friend of sinners who comes and gives peace. Is he your friend? Do you know your sins are forgiven? Are you saved?