Bible ReadingLuke 7:36–5036 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.
[55:40]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,
[55:44]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.
[55:56]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.”
[56:16]40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
[56:26]41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
[56:34]42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
[56:40]43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
[56:47]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.
[57:00]45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
[57:09]46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
[57:15]47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
[57:19]48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
[57:31]49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
[57:33]50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
[57:40]Colossians 2:13–1413 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.
[01:17:48]14 This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
[01:17:59]Ephesians 2:8–98 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
[01:39:54]9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
[01:39:54]Psalm 49:7–97 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,
[01:15:28]8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,
[01:15:31]9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit.
Observation questions- What differences do we see between Simon’s welcome of Jesus and the woman’s actions toward Jesus in Luke 7:44–46? [01:23:37]
- What does Simon focus on when he sees the woman, and what does Jesus reveal about Simon’s thoughts without Simon saying them aloud? [01:09:13]
- In the parable, what is true of both debtors before their debts are canceled, even though their debts are different in size? [01:14:35]
- According to Colossians 2:13–14, what happened to the record of debt that stood against sinners, and where was it taken? [01:18:07]
Interpretation questions- Jesus says the woman’s many sins “are forgiven—for she loved much,” and then says, “Your faith has saved you.” How do these words show that her love was the result of forgiveness and faith, rather than her attempt to earn forgiveness? [01:24:31]
- Why is Simon’s greater problem not simply that he showed poor manners, but that he did not recognize his own need for mercy before God? [01:40:02]
- If sin has real consequences, what does it mean that Jesus cancels the believer’s debt by nailing it to the cross? Who bears the cost of that cancellation? [01:17:16]
- How does salvation by grace through faith, rather than works, confront both open rebellion and quiet self-righteousness? [01:39:38]
Application questions- Is there a sin, failure, or shame that you continue to hold against yourself even though Christ has paid for it? What would it look like to bring that burden to Jesus and believe that his forgiveness is truly enough? [01:40:39]
- Simon could quickly see the woman’s reputation while missing his own spiritual debt. Where are you most tempted to notice another person’s sin while excusing, hiding, or minimizing your own? [01:41:20]
- Is there someone in your life whom you have mostly defined by their worst failure, lifestyle, or reputation? How might you treat that person differently if you remembered that Jesus welcomes sinners and is able to save unexpected people? [01:42:03]
- Think of a recent act of obedience—serving, giving, forgiving, resisting sin, or caring for someone. Was it mainly fueled by guilt, fear, duty, or love for Jesus? What gospel truth could reshape that motivation? [01:44:38]
- The woman gave Jesus something costly because he had become her greatest treasure. What is one practical way you could show love and gratitude to Jesus this week with your time, resources, or service? [01:05:21]
- Is there a person you are struggling to forgive? How could remembering the debt Christ has forgiven in you change the way you pray for, speak to, or take a next step toward that person? [01:48:15]
