Bible Reading
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
[24:57]Luke 7:1–10 “After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.’ And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’ When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.”
[25:25]Luke 7:36–50 “One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answering said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he answered, ‘Say it, Teacher.’ ‘A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’”
[26:41]Observation questions
- What reasons do the Jewish elders give for calling the centurion “worthy,” and how does the centurion describe himself when Jesus gets close to his house? [44:19]
- What does the centurion’s example about giving orders to soldiers reveal about what he believes Jesus can do?
- What specific acts show the woman’s love for Jesus, and what customary acts of welcome had Simon failed to give Jesus?
- In Jesus’ story, what do the two debtors have in common before the moneylender cancels their debts? [47:08]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Jesus call the centurion’s response “faith” when the centurion does not point to his good works but to Jesus’ authority and word? [45:16]
- Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as assurance and conviction. How does the picture of a strong climbing carabiner help explain why faith depends more on Jesus than on how confident a person feels? [42:50]
- Jesus says that the woman’s love flows from forgiveness. How does this correct the idea that a person must first become respectable enough to come near to Jesus? [47:35]
- How do the centurion and the woman together show that accomplishments cannot earn a place with God and failures do not place a person beyond Christ’s forgiveness? [47:55]
Application questions
- Where has fear, uncertainty, or a sense of spiritual weakness made it difficult for you to trust Jesus? What would it look like to place even trembling faith in his strength this week? [43:17]
- Are there accomplishments—work, family, education, generosity, morality, or church involvement—that can quietly make you feel less needy for Jesus? How can the centurion’s humility reshape the way you pray?
- The woman did not stay away from Jesus because of her sin; she came to him with tears, love, and need. Is there a failure, shame, or ongoing struggle that has tempted you to keep your distance from Jesus? What might coming honestly to him look like?
- Jesus’ forgiveness produces love rather than a performance meant to earn acceptance. What is one concrete way your gratitude for Christ’s forgiveness could show up in your worship, relationships, time, or generosity this week? [47:21]
- The ground at the foot of the cross is level. Is there someone you have been tempted to view as either “more deserving” of God’s grace or too far gone for it? How could you move toward that person with the hope and humility of Jesus? [48:07]
- The resurrection gives hope that God will finally make broken things right. What hard situation in your life or community needs that hope right now, and what small step could you take toward it instead of pulling away from it? [52:03]
