Thursday | 26 March 2026
When Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house, he did not receive Him as King. This is apparent because Simon made no confession of faith towards Christ’s lordship. Christ’s word as King had the authority to command respect. Such respect would have been demonstrated by bowing at Christ’s feet with the attitude of a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Of course, this was the very response that the repentant woman made in his house.
A person who is poor in spirit has an attitude that is willing to repent and to believe the word of Christ as an obedient action or work. This kind of person sees the necessity for humility when they stand before God. They, therefore, humble themselves under His mighty hand, from which the five-fold ministry graces of Christ are expressed. 1Pe 5:6. Eph 4:11-12. While Simon had the opportunity to bow before the Lord Himself, the Centurion, Cornelius, exemplified this very attitude when he met the apostle Peter, who had been sent to him and his house as a messenger. Luke recorded, ‘As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” ’ Act 10:25-26.
Rather than receiving Him as King, Simon had invited Jesus to his house to ascertain whether or not He was a prophet. We know that Simon was testing the Lord in this manner, for he said to himself, ‘This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner’. Luk 7:39. No doubt, it had been Simon’s intention to test Christ with questions during the meal.
In contrast to Simon the Pharisee, we observe the attitude of Jairus who was a ruler of the synagogue. When he came to Jesus, he fell down at His feet and begged Him to come to his house to heal his daughter. Luk 8:41.
Further Study:
Luke 8
References:
1Pe 5:6
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
Eph 4:11-12
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Act 10:25-26
As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I myself am also a man.’
Luk 7:39
Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, ‘This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.’
Luk 8:41
And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house.