Greater Debt, Greater Love: The Sinful Woman’s Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not just an inner experience but a radical grace that brings peace, restores dignity, and welcomes even the most broken into the embrace of God. In the story of the sinful woman who anoints Jesus’ feet, we see that her faith and her willingness to seek forgiveness lead to a peace that surpasses judgment and shame. Her actions, though judged by others, are met by Jesus with compassion and absolution, showing that God’s grace is available to all who come in faith, no matter their past. [02:40]

Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at 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.”

Reflection: When have you felt most in need of forgiveness, and how might you bring your honest self before Jesus today, trusting that his grace is greater than your shame?

Day 2: The Courage to Seek Jesus Despite Judgment

The woman’s bravery in entering a space where she was unwelcome, risking ridicule and condemnation, reveals the courage it takes to seek Jesus when others might judge or exclude. Her presence and her actions disrupt the comfort of the self-righteous, reminding us that faith sometimes means stepping into uncomfortable places, trusting that God’s grace is worth more than human approval. [11:53]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Reflection: Is there a place or relationship where you feel unwelcome or afraid to show your faith? What would it look like to step forward in courage, trusting God’s presence with you?

Day 3: Self-Righteousness Blinds Us to Grace

The Pharisees’ judgment of the woman exposes how self-righteousness can blind us to our own need for grace and to the beauty of God’s work in others. When we focus on our own perceived blamelessness or judge others by arbitrary standards, we risk missing the radical love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all, including ourselves. [08:22]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself judging others or relying on your own goodness? How can you open your heart to see both your need for grace and the grace God extends to those around you?

Day 4: Faith Responds with Extravagant Love

The woman’s response to Jesus—her tears, her costly ointment, her humble worship—demonstrates that true faith is not passive but overflows in acts of love and gratitude. She gives generously and vulnerably, not to earn forgiveness but as a response to the mercy she believes Jesus offers, showing us that our own acts of love are a grateful response to God’s grace. [05:06]

1 John 4:19 (ESV)
We love because he first loved us.

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can show extravagant love or gratitude to God or to someone in your life today, simply because you have been loved and forgiven?

Day 5: Peace Comes from Believing You Are Forgiven

The final words Jesus speaks to the woman—“Your faith has saved you; go in peace”—remind us that peace begins with believing we are truly forgiven and loved by God. This peace is not just for ourselves but is meant to overflow into our relationships and communities, breaking down barriers and inviting others into the same grace we have received. [15:24]

Romans 5:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection: Do you truly believe that you are forgiven and at peace with God? How might embracing this truth change the way you live and interact with others today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reading from Luke 7 brings us into a room thick with tension, where a nameless woman—known only as a “sinner”—interrupts a dinner among the religious elite to pour out her tears and her precious ointment at the feet of Jesus. Her act is raw, vulnerable, and deeply misunderstood by those around her. Yet, in this moment, she becomes a teacher to us all. She shows us what it means to seek Jesus not with words, but with the fullness of our hearts, our pain, and our hope for grace.

The story draws a sharp contrast between the woman and the Pharisees. The Pharisees, secure in their self-righteousness, are quick to judge and slow to see the miracle of grace unfolding before them. They know the rules, but they miss the heart of God. The woman, on the other hand, knows her need. She brings nothing but her brokenness and her faith, and in doing so, she receives what the Pharisees cannot even imagine: forgiveness, peace, and the affirmation of her worth in God’s eyes.

This encounter reminds us that the gospel is not just for the famous or the righteous, but for the nameless, the low, and the least. The grace of God is not reserved for those who have it all together, but is poured out extravagantly on those who dare to believe that God’s love is bigger than their failures. The woman’s courage to enter a hostile space, to disrupt the comfort of the powerful, and to worship Jesus with everything she has, challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we more like the Pharisees, blind to our own need and quick to judge others? Or are we willing to be honest about our brokenness and to trust that God’s grace is enough?

True peace—both within ourselves and in our communities—begins when we accept that we are not perfect, that we are not God, and that we are in need of forgiveness. The miracle of salvation is not something we can earn or control; it is a gift, freely given, that asks only for our faith. If you find yourself today feeling lost, broken, or unworthy, remember the words Jesus spoke to the woman: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” This is the invitation for all of us—to believe in the forgiveness that is already ours, and to let that belief transform us from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

1. Grace is for the nameless and the least God’s grace is not reserved for the prominent or the righteous, but is poured out on those who are overlooked, broken, or dismissed by society. The nameless woman’s story reminds us that God sees and values every person, regardless of their past or reputation. In God’s kingdom, the lowly are lifted up, and their faith becomes a powerful witness to us all. [02:40]
2. Self-righteousness blinds us to grace The Pharisees’ certainty in their own goodness prevents them from recognizing the miracle of forgiveness happening before their eyes. When we cling to self-righteousness, we not only judge others harshly, but we also close ourselves off from the grace we desperately need. True spiritual maturity comes from humility and the willingness to see our own need for God’s mercy. [08:22]
3. Courageous faith disrupts comfort and brings healing The woman’s boldness in entering a hostile space and offering her worship challenges the status quo and exposes the limitations of religious comfort. Her faith is not passive; it is active, vulnerable, and willing to risk rejection for the sake of encountering Jesus. Such faith not only brings personal healing but also unsettles systems that exclude or condemn. [11:53]
4. Peace begins with believing in forgiveness The foundation of true peace is not found in perfection or moral achievement, but in accepting the forgiveness that God freely offers. When we believe that nothing can separate us from God’s love, we are set free from shame and empowered to live with courage and compassion. This peace is both a gift and a calling—to receive and to share with others. [15:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Gospel Reading: Luke 7
[01:30] - The Nameless Woman’s Act
[02:40] - The Lowly Seek Jesus
[03:55] - The Contrast with the Pharisees
[05:06] - The Woman’s Faith and Worship
[06:45] - Judgment vs. Grace
[08:22] - Self-Righteousness and Spiritual Blindness
[09:50] - The Power of Forgiveness
[11:53] - Courage in the Face of Condemnation
[13:10] - Jesus as the Foundation of Peace
[14:20] - The Miracle of Salvation
[15:24] - The Invitation to Believe
[16:10] - Closing Blessing and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 7:36-50 (ESV) —
> 36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 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, 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 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. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Observation Questions

What actions did the woman take when she entered the Pharisee’s house, and how did the people in the room respond to her? ([01:30])
According to Jesus, what is the connection between forgiveness and love in this story? ([05:06])
How did the Pharisee, Simon, treat Jesus compared to how the woman treated him? ([05:06])
What did Jesus say to the woman at the end of the story, and why is this significant? ([15:24])

Interpretation Questions

The woman is described only as a “sinner” and remains nameless. What might be the significance of her anonymity in the story, and how does it relate to the message of grace? ([02:40])
The Pharisees are portrayed as self-righteous and judgmental. How does their attitude prevent them from experiencing the grace that Jesus offers? ([08:22])
The woman’s act of worship was bold and vulnerable, even though it risked rejection. What does this teach about the kind of faith that Jesus honors? ([11:53])
Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” What does this reveal about the source of true peace and salvation? ([15:24])

Application Questions

The sermon says that God’s grace is for the nameless, the low, and the least. Is there a part of your life or story that makes you feel overlooked or unworthy? How does this story challenge the way you see yourself or others? ([02:40])
The Pharisees missed the miracle of grace because they were focused on rules and their own goodness. Are there ways you might be missing God’s grace because you’re focused on being “good enough” or judging others? What would it look like to let go of self-righteousness? ([08:22])
The woman’s faith was courageous—she entered a place where she wasn’t welcome and worshiped Jesus anyway. Is there a situation in your life where you need to show courageous faith, even if it means risking discomfort or rejection? ([11:53])
The sermon says that true peace begins when we accept our need for forgiveness and believe that God’s grace is enough. Is there an area where you struggle to accept forgiveness—for yourself or for someone else? What would it look like to take a step toward peace this week? ([15:24])
The woman’s act of worship was costly—she poured out expensive ointment and her own tears. What is something valuable (time, energy, reputation, resources) that you might be called to offer to Jesus as an act of worship? ([05:06])
The story challenges us to see and value those who are overlooked or dismissed by society. Who in your life or community might need to experience the grace and welcome of Jesus through you? How can you reach out to them this week? ([02:40])
Jesus’ words, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace,” are an invitation to believe in forgiveness and let it transform us. What would it look like for you to live out of that peace in your relationships, work, or daily life? ([15:24])

Sermon Clips

Jesus with a compassion that seems to make other people really uncomfortable lifts these low people from their obscurity and as they look up to see his face to look into his very human eyes his forgiving eyes the savior's eyes these nameless worthless low people they become teachers they become teachers to us so often without words their behavior their actions are witnesses to a faithfulness to a devotion that challenges and inspires us even now. [00:03:33] (34 seconds)

We know nothing about this woman nothing except that she is a sinner she doesn't even have a real description we don't even know what she looks like she's a sinner that's all we know we know plenty of though about the pharisees who are condemning her in this moment and the contrast between their actions and her actions is pretty significant. [00:05:06] (22 seconds)

we know nothing about this woman nothing except that she is a sinner she doesn't even have a real description we don't even know what she looks like she's a sinner that's all we know we know plenty of though about the pharisees who are condemning her in this moment and the contrast between their actions and her actions is pretty significant we don't know what she did we don't know what her sins were where she came from why she was even in the room we have no idea and yet somehow it seems that she knew exactly who jesus was seeking jesus worshiping jesus in this little intimate moment over his feet on the floor she seems to know that this this is the jesus the source of something that could save her from her own history her own circumstance and i hold this image in mind [00:05:06] (64 seconds)

I think that this is a very intense image this weeping woman poured out on the floor at the feet of jesus bathing his feet with her tears her hair wet with her own weeping and in response to this incredible scene this incredible moment this incredible sort of outpouring of emotion this heart-wrenching scene these grand poobahs of religion who had gathered in this room had nothing to offer her but judgment judgment the enemy of grace. [00:06:31] (35 seconds)

i think that this is a very intense image this weeping woman poured out on the floor at the feet of jesus bathing his feet with her tears her hair wet with her own weeping and in response to this incredible scene this incredible moment this incredible sort of outpouring of emotion this heart -wrenching scene these grand poobahs of religion who had gathered in this room had nothing to offer her but judgment judgment the enemy of grace but more than that i asked myself how often have we been this woman tired and tearful with nowhere to go but some last resort some hail mary that maybe this time it will be different poured out at the proverbial feet of god weeping and seeking the very things that jesus represented to those folks then and to us now grace and forgiveness a love so pure that it looks beyond our darkness a love so unwavering that we cannot stop it even if we try [00:06:31] (77 seconds)

Personal peace as this woman is showing us in this dramatic moment begins by simply accepting the fact that we are not perfect and that we are not god that we don't speak god's judgment that we don't speak for god and that we are never blameless no matter how try how hard we try to look blameless we have to recognize that sin is a part of us we have to face it in all of its forms and then recognize that the grace we are offered this free grace that comes from god this undeserved grace is a gift a gift given in absolute benevolence in absolute love for us in absolute love for this created thing that we are this creature with all the potential to love and connect and unify. [00:11:04] (59 seconds)

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