"But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John."
Luke 7:30 (NIV)
Why would this Pharisee who has rejected God’s purpose for himself, invite Jesus to his home? There are those who embrace God’s Way; they listen to His prophets and repent. They draw near to God continually. There are those who reject God’s Way; they won’t listen to the prophets for they are confident of their own righteousness before God.
Why would a person who rejects God’s Way, invite Jesus to his home? The fact that Jesus accepted his invitation and sat at his table and ate with him, demonstrates that Jesus is truly the friend of all sinners. Not only a friend of those who are the down and out sinners, but also a friend to those who are self-righteous, the best of the best in society sinners. Jesus doesn’t condemn this man; He calls him by name and teaches him gently, and the text leaves us hope for this man by pointing out the other people’s reaction to Jesus forgiving sins.
However I keep wondering about this man inviting Jesus to his home. Was he curious? Was he malicious? Possibly seeking to find a reason to dismiss Jesus? Was he seeking to enhance his own status? Was his home a happening place where the movers and shakers gathered? Or was he keeping up appearances, going through the motions, doing his good deeds, keeping his part of the ‘horse trade bargain’ that he was making with God for his own salvation?
Jesus chose to teach him by using a ‘marketplace’ example. Jesus spoke to him in the language that this man could understand; money owed, the inability to pay what was owed, and the act of cancelling a financial debt. Jesus spoke to him in his language, but the lesson was about grace and forgiveness and love and faith.
I hope this man received the Words of Christ and realized that he owed a debt he couldn’t pay. I hope and pray that all who ‘hang around Jesus’ in our church, will have their eyes opened to the truth that they owe a debt they can’t pay, and that they embrace God’s Way - the way of repentance, the way of faith in God’s Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and His finished work on their behalf!
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