1. THE MEANING OF THE CROSS LUKE 7:36-50

2. “Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so He went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

3. “When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner. Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher”, he said.

4. “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii (two years wages) and the other fifty (two months wages). Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

5. “Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little, loves little.”

6. “Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

7. I. THE CROSS MEANS WELCOME TO ALL WHO COME! A PHARISEE: A LAW KEEPER (VS. 36) A WOMAN: A LAW BREAKER (VS. 37-39)

8. II. THE CROSS MEANS ACCEPTANCE! “When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisees house, she brought…” (vs. 37)

9. III. THE CROSS MEANS UNDERSTANDING AND PERSPECTIVE! “When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” (vs. 39)

10. It Sounds So Logical! If Jesus were a prophet – He would know who this woman is! If Jesus knew who this woman is – He would have nothing to do with her! Since Jesus accepts her – He does not know her! Since Jesus does not know who she is – He cannot be a prophet! Since Jesus is not a prophet – I don’t have to listen or follow Him!

11. IV. THE CROSS MEANS TRUTH! “Simon, I have something to say to you..” (vs. 40) A Word of challenge! A Word of Confrontation! A Word of Comfort! A Word of Confidence! A Word of Defense!

12. V. THE CROSS MEANS SALVATION AND TRANSFORMATION! “Your faith has saved you…” What was the faith of this woman?

13. VI. THE CROSS MEANS FORGIVENESS! “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven…” (vs. 47) “Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (vs. 48)

14. VII. THE CROSS MEANS PEACE! “Jesus said to the woman, “…Go in peace.” (vs. 50)

15. VIII. THE CROSS MEANS SACRIFICE! “…she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.” Vs. 37,38)

16. IX. THE CROSS MEANS WORSHIP!

17. WORSHIP TRUTHS 1.WORSHIP IS FOR SINNERS! 2.WORSHIP TAKES PLACE AT THE FEET OF JESUS! 3.WORSHIP FOCUSES ON JESUS – NOT WHAT OTHERS THINK! 4.WORHIP INVOLVES THE EMOTIONS – NOT JUST THE INTELLECT! 5.WORSHIP CAN BE SILENT – WORDLESS!

18. X. THE CROSS MEANS SUBSTITUTION! “But He was wounded for our (my) transgressions, He was bruised for our (my) iniquities, and the punishment for our (my) peace was laid on Him and by his stripes we (I) Are (am) healed” (Isa. 53;5)