The pe fect compassion of Jesus
By JOEY BATES Pastor, The Orchard Fulton
The smell of fresh fruit and bread would’ ve filled the room. Sounds of conversation and wine being poured into cups would’ ve echoed off the walls of the courtyard, as the sight of a delicious meal met the eyes of the guests. Candlelight illuminated their dinner as they talked about life and the meaning of God’ s kingdom.
We’ re in Simon’ s house. He was a Pharisee, a man of God. A teacher of the people. He had the entirety of our Old Testament memorized, and he spoke on them regularly to the people of his town. He was important to his community. He was one of the teachers who taught about who God was and how to follow Him by praying and studying God’ s Law.
At the table with Simon were other men. Men Simon had taught before. Men he knew. And another man he didn’ t.
This other man also called himself a teacher. He gathered crowds in the fields of the Galilean countryside and taught of God’ s kingdom, but not like Simon. This man didn’ t have religious training, but seemed to know God’ s Law. He carried himself lightly, but securely. This man seemed relaxed teaching about God’ s Kingdom. He even healed on the Sabbath. This man was different. This man’ s name was Jesus.
Luke 7:36-50 takes place right in the heart of Jesus’ ministry in Luke. He’ s come and announced the good news to the poor, that he’ s come to give sight to the blind, and set the captives free. He’ s healed and preached. His public ministry has launched and he’ s gathered a following, full of people who were outcasts and outsiders, but going hand-in-hand, he’ s also gathered onlookers who are curious about what he’ s all about.
This is Simon. He’ s watched Jesus gather these followers. He’ s seen Jesus heal, and now he’ s curious. Simon, being
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