NEW SERIES,

ENLARGED AND IMPROVED.

The Evangelist.

EXPOSITIONS,

SKETCHES, AND SERMONS.

XXV.

EXPOSITION OF LUKE VII. 36-50.

CHRIST'S VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE

PHARISEE.

"And one of the pharisees desired him that he would eat with him ; and he went into the pharisee's house, and sat down to meat," &c.

CHRIST went indifferently into the houses of publicans and pharisees, and condescendingly accepted of their hospitality. Sometimes he invited himself; as when he said to Zaccheus, "To-day I must abide at thy house." Here he was invited by the pharisee; but it appears that in this case, as when he visited Zaccheus, his grace made a richer feast for the host than the host made for him-for that was a happy entertainment at which he who received the bread that perishes imparted that which endures to eternal life. It does not

NO. VI.

L L

appear that this pharisee gave Christ so hearty a welcome as did Zaccheus the publican; for after all the semblance of hospitality, there was evidently a latent disposition to suspect the character of his guest. See ver. 39. "This man, if he were a prophet," &c. This was quite in character, for the pharisees were jealous of Christ and bitter enemies to him; and this one, although probably less proud than most of them, appears not a whit more inclined to treat him kindly and 'candidly for his regard to the publicans and sinners. The spirit of the pharisees is not extinct. There are multitudes still who substitute their own righteousness in the place of Christ's, and hope to be saved because they are not so bad as others. It is a character odious in the sight of God; and as certainly destructive of all hope of salvation as a state of impenitence or open infidelity. "By the works of the law shall no flesh living be justified." The genuine traits of a pharisee appeared in this man's case, though perhaps not to so great an extent as in many others, else he would never have invited Christ to his house. He was not a thorough-going pharisee. He was one

of the best of the tribe. Christ went cheerfully into his house when he was invited, to show that he neither disdained publicans, pharisees, nor sinners, when they were willing to receive him, or when their hour of grace was come. He asked no questions concerning either the company or the food, but accepted the proffered hospitality less for his own sake than for the opportunity of saving souls, which he foresaw it would afford him. Christ finds the objects of his grace among all classes, and the results of the entertainment show that we are not to deem either a proud self-righteous religionist or a poor profligate woman beyond the reach of his grace now.

Ver. 36. And he sat down to meat.-He was no pattern of austerity. Though he forbad all excess, he refused not suitable entertainment; yet he used it temperately, to show us that "every creature of God is good," &c. He affected no abstinence; appeared not

as a hermit, but, as he himself said, “came eating and drinking."

:

A

Ver. 37. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner.—This woman was obviously an evil character, or such a mark would not have been fixed upon her here all seem to have known that she was a notorious sinner, and our Lord could not be ignorant. What a variety of sins disgrace and destroy mankind! common, yea, a universal charge might be brought— for all are sinners. There is neither man nor woman of whom it could be said this is not a sinner: for there is not a just man on the earth that liveth and sinneth not. But then those are very properly marked out that make sin a trade or business. It is not a single act of sin that supplies ground for a characteristic epithet. It is not a single act of sin, but a life of sin, that makes us deserve, not by way of contrast, but by way of eminence, the name of sinners. Take heed then of habits of sin; for though all sin is evil, nothing but evil, yet a habit, a trade of sin, will brand us, and that deservedly, as it did this woman. Still let us dread every act and flee from every single sin, for habits are formed by the repetition of single acts. All sin is hateful to God, to angels, and to saints.

When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box of ointment.-It is indeed a pleasant sight to behold a sinner seeking for Jesus, for it shows there is something working in the heart against sin. Here is a sinful woman seeking to show regard to the holy and merciful Saviour. What could she expect to find in the presence of so pure and blessed a person? Most sinners feel no desire to come into the presence of Christ-they say unto him, "Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." They would as soon see the face of a lion or tiger as that of Christ. Sinners in general only seek for fresh occasion to gratify their sinful desires, but when they begin to look after and follow Christ, be sure that Christ has first looked after them. But why should this woman follow Christ into the pharisee's

house? It was not to ask any miraculous cure. She was neither poor nor sick. It seems she had no want of money, for sin had probably been a gainful trade; but she had heard of Christ, or had heard himself preach before, and had felt conviction and alarm, and though she had probably never spoken to him nor disclosed the feelings of her mind, and on this occasion only intended to express the contrition and reverence of her heart, yet the Saviour evidently knew all that was passing in that penitent mind.

Ver. 38. And stood at his feet behind him weeping, &c.-Conceive what must have been the disgust of this pharisee when he saw such a woman obtruding herself into his house, though it was at the feet of Jesus. On her part it might be considered an act of boldness, which, perhaps, nothing could justify but the strong desire she felt to express both her grief and her gratitude. This she embraced as a suitable occasion, while he was reclining in the pharisee's house; and therefore regardless of the indecorum of her appearance there, and equally of the unseasonableness of a flood of tears, she enters, but only to show the depth and sincerity of her contrition. Behold the costly sacrifice! she brings an alabaster-box of ointment of spikenard, &c.—that which she had probably purchased to perfume her own head she thinks not too good for her Saviour's feet; for now the word had smitten her conscience, and the love of sin had departed. Where is the sinful woman now to be found? Not exhibiting herself in the street, but weeping behind and at the feet of Christ. What a mighty hand must that have been, how secret, and how potent, which could have wrought such a change in so great a sinner! But what cannot divine grace do? Is anything too hard for the Lord? Let us not despair concerning any. Yet let us observe, wherever there is true conversion to God, there will be an immediate and thorough forsaking of sin. No delay, no half measures will do. We must flee from temptation, and go to Christ at once. For to trifle with our eternal interests is to despise them.

As well never go to Christ at all as put it off to a distant period. Where should a distressed soul be found but at the feet of Jesus? Grateful as was the perfume she poured out, there was a secret, silent offering still more sweet and precious,-it was her contrite heart. Sweeter than the sweetest perfume, richer than the most costly box of ointment, was that broken, melting heart of her's which now she lays before Christ. Yes, this was the sacrifice well-pleasing unto God: and let us learn, it is with such he is always well pleased, and with nothing else. Could we offer the most costly spices, the richest treasures, the most splendid gifts, the most obsequious services, all would be in vain to procure his favour without a contrite heart. Could you offer to God the fruit of your body to take away your sin, or your first-born for your transgression, it would be despised and rejected; nothing will do but the sacrifice of your contrite hearts.

And began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, &c.-Probably those tresses had been her boast and pride, and she would in one sense debase them, and yet in another sense honour them. For though she might have obtained in the house a towel for his feet, yet that would not so have proved her penitence, expressed her humility, and illustrated her gratitude. Perhaps she thought, those blessed feet brought him to this city, and sustained him while he stood and preached the word which has opened my eyes, and melted my heart; they have been wearied with the journey, but the pharisee has not honoured him by the customary mark of hospitality in giving him water for his feet.

After she had washed the feet of Christ, behold she kisses them, and does not cease to kiss them even in the midst of the guests, for she was more absorbed in the thought of what she owed to her Saviour than mindful either of the place or the company. O it was a wonderful scene! the condescension of Christ-the amazement of Simon-the penitence, humility, and gratitude of the sinful woman! But in all this she is