Daily Scripture: Luke 7:44 Then, turning to the woman, he said to Shim‘on, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house — you didn’t give me water for my feet, but this woman has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair! 45 You didn’t give me a kiss; but from the time I arrived, this woman has not stopped kissing my feet! 46 You didn’t put oil on my head, but this woman poured perfume on my feet! 47 Because of this, I tell you that her sins — which are many! — have been forgiven, because she loved much. But someone who has been forgiven only a little loves only a little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 At this, those eating with him began saying among themselves, “Who is this fellow that presumes to forgive sins?” 50 But he said to the woman, “Your trust has saved you; go in peace.”
Reflection Questions:
This story had an unseen “prequel.” Verse 47 made it plain that this was not the first time Jesus had met this woman, and gave a clear idea of how he must have extended grace to her earlier. In the face of Simon’s judgmental spirit, he reiterated the forgiveness of her “many sins” that she’d already received. That gift of peace with God was the reason that her heart had responded with such great love.
- How did Jesus’ pointed contrast in verses 44-47 show the spiritual hollowness of Simon’s pious front? Simon couldn’t even treat an invited guest with the basic courtesies expected in his day. The woman, on the other hand, went far beyond any social or cultural norms. Do you agree with Jesus that the way we treat people (God’s beloved children) is the ultimate measure of our “righteousness,” beyond any other outward proprieties?
- Earlier (cf. Luke 5:17-26), Luke said that when Jesus told a man his sins were forgiven, the Pharisees muttered, “Only God can forgive sins!” There, as at the end of this story, Jesus did not disagree with them. As you learned about God, did you see God as mainly angry about sins, as indulgently excusing sins as “no big deal,” or as seriously compassionate and forgiving when we miss the mark? What difference does it make to how you live life with Jesus as your Savior and Lord that God forgives sins rather than excusing them?
Lord Jesus, I realize that like both people who were with Jesus in Luke’s scene, I owe a debt I couldn’t possibly pay. Thank you for forgiving me. Keep me forgiven and forgiving. Amen.Insights from Ginger Rothhaas
Ginger Rothhaas is a seminary student at Saint Paul School of Theology and is serving in Congregational Care at The Church of the Resurrection.
When I read the story of the “sinful” woman who showed up at a dinner party to see Jesus, I think about how scared she must have been. She was entering the house of a Pharisee who was hosting a dinner for Jesus, likely a house filled with businessmen and Jewish leaders.
I imagine, before this scene, she is standing outside the door seriously questioning if she should go inside. Will she be allowed in? Will these men berate her? Will Jesus even acknowledge her?
Something inside her must have said, “Go through the door.” I think she knew in her heart that Jesus would be welcoming and gracious. Her faith in a loving Jesus gave her the courage to go in.
She let go of the fear of judgment. She took a risk. She followed her belief in God. She knew what she needed to do and the fear of being judged wasn’t going to stop her. Her faith trumped her fear.
Stepping out in faith is scary, but when faith overrides fear of judgment, we grow closer to God.
Is there something that you feel God is calling you to do but you hesitate in fear that others will judge you? Release that fear and follow your calling…God is there waiting with awesome possibilities for you.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
When I read the story of the “sinful” woman who showed up at a dinner party to see Jesus, I think about how scared she must have been. She was entering the house of a Pharisee who was hosting a dinner for Jesus, likely a house filled with businessmen and Jewish leaders.
I imagine, before this scene, she is standing outside the door seriously questioning if she should go inside. Will she be allowed in? Will these men berate her? Will Jesus even acknowledge her?
Something inside her must have said, “Go through the door.” I think she knew in her heart that Jesus would be welcoming and gracious. Her faith in a loving Jesus gave her the courage to go in.
She let go of the fear of judgment. She took a risk. She followed her belief in God. She knew what she needed to do and the fear of being judged wasn’t going to stop her. Her faith trumped her fear.
Stepping out in faith is scary, but when faith overrides fear of judgment, we grow closer to God.
Is there something that you feel God is calling you to do but you hesitate in fear that others will judge you? Release that fear and follow your calling…God is there waiting with awesome possibilities for you.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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