Radical Hospitality: Embracing Love and Gratitude

Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the story from Luke 7, where a woman anoints Jesus’ feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. This act, often overshadowed by labels and assumptions, is a profound expression of love and gratitude. The focus is not on her sinfulness, as tradition and editorial headings might suggest, but on her overwhelming thankfulness and the courage to love without reservation. The story challenges us to see beyond the labels we place on others and ourselves, and to recognize the deep humanity and longing for acceptance that resides in every person.

Luke’s Gospel, unlike the other synoptics, places this story not at the end of Jesus’ ministry but in the midst of everyday life in Galilee. This shift is significant: it reminds us that moments of grace and transformation are not reserved for the end or for the extraordinary, but are woven into the fabric of daily existence. Luke is intentional about including those who are often unseen or dismissed, making it clear that God’s hospitality is radically inclusive. The parable Jesus tells Simon about the two debtors further underscores this: we are all in need of grace, and the measure of our gratitude is not determined by the size of our debt, but by our awareness of the gift we have received.

Personal stories of ministry and community—whether in the mountains of North Carolina or on a school bus—echo this theme. Often, we set out to help or “fix” others, only to discover that we ourselves are being transformed by the relationships we form. The gratitude and love we receive from those we serve can awaken us to the beauty and fragility of life, and to the presence of God in unexpected places.

Ultimately, the call is to become a community where forgiveness and acceptance are not just preached but practiced. The church is meant to be a place where all are welcome, where the broken and the grateful, the lost and the found, can come together and experience peace. The blessing Jesus offers—“Go in peace”—is not just a farewell, but an invitation to live out this radical hospitality in our own lives, to be both guest and host in the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways

- True hospitality begins with seeing others as they are, not as we assume them to be. The woman in Luke 7 is not defined by her past or by the labels others place on her, but by her capacity for love and gratitude. We are called to look past surface judgments and recognize the image of God in every person we encounter. [58:21]

- Gratitude is transformative when it is rooted in awareness of grace. The woman’s actions are not motivated by shame, but by a deep sense of thankfulness for the life and acceptance she has found in Jesus. Our own spiritual vitality depends on cultivating this kind of gratitude, which frees us to love boldly and without fear of judgment. [01:03:46]

- The stories we tell about others—and about ourselves—shape our communities. Editorial choices, like calling her a “sinful woman,” can prime us to exclude or diminish people. Instead, we are invited to tell stories that highlight grace, redemption, and the possibility of new beginnings for everyone. [59:22]

- Ministry is often reciprocal: in seeking to serve or “fix” others, we find ourselves changed. Whether in a summer of service or in daily interactions with children, the relationships we form can reveal our own need for healing and growth. God often uses those we least expect to teach us about love, patience, and the meaning of community. [55:20]

- The church is called to be a community of forgiven and forgiving people, a place where all are truly welcome. Jesus’ final blessing, “Go in peace,” is a charge to create spaces where peace, acceptance, and belonging are not just ideals, but lived realities. This is the heart of the gospel: to be a people who embody God’s radical hospitality in the world. [01:09:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Opportunities to Serve
[12:46] - Caring Ministries and Communion Outreach
[15:30] - Reflections on the End of School Year
[49:38] - Lessons from a School Bus Note
[50:59] - Summer of Ordination and Service in Appalachia
[54:10] - Encountering Need and Powerlessness
[55:20] - The Gift of Relationship and Being Changed
[58:21] - Rethinking the “Sinful Woman” Label
[59:22] - The Power of Assumptions in Scripture
[01:01:18] - Luke’s Radical Inclusivity
[01:03:00] - The Parable of the Two Debtors
[01:03:46] - Love and Gratitude Beyond Shame
[01:06:29] - Glimmers of God’s Love in Everyday Life
[01:09:33] - The Need for a Welcoming Church
[01:10:47] - Final Blessing and Sending Forth

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Guest Becomes Host” (Luke 7:36-50)

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### Bible Reading

Luke 7:36-50
(Story of the woman anointing Jesus’ feet at Simon the Pharisee’s house)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Luke 7:44, Jesus asks Simon, “Do you see this woman?” What had Simon and the others actually noticed about her, and what had they missed? [58:21]

2. According to the sermon, what is unique about where Luke places this story in his Gospel compared to Matthew, Mark, and John? [55:20]

3. What labels or assumptions are made about the woman in this story, both in the text and in the way we often talk about her? [59:22]

4. In the parable Jesus tells Simon about the two debtors, what is the main point Jesus is making about forgiveness and gratitude? [01:03:00]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus focuses on the woman’s love and gratitude rather than her past or her “sinfulness”? How does this change the way we read the story? [01:03:46]

2. The sermon points out that Luke’s Gospel is especially inclusive, highlighting people who are often unseen or dismissed. What does this tell us about God’s hospitality and the kind of community Jesus wants? [01:01:18]

3. The story challenges us to look past surface judgments and see the image of God in every person. What are some ways that labels or assumptions can prevent us from truly seeing others? [59:22]

4. The pastor shared personal stories about being changed by relationships with those he set out to “help.” How does this idea of reciprocal ministry show up in the story of the woman and Jesus? [55:20]

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### Application Questions

1. Jesus asks Simon, “Do you see this woman?” Who in your life or community might you be overlooking or labeling, and what would it look like to truly “see” them this week? [58:21]

2. The woman’s actions were motivated by gratitude, not shame. When have you experienced or witnessed gratitude that led to bold, loving action? How can you cultivate that kind of gratitude in your own life? [01:03:46]

3. The sermon warns about the power of assumptions and labels—both those we place on others and on ourselves. What is one label or assumption you want to let go of, and how might that change your relationships? [59:22]

4. The pastor described being changed by the people he served, realizing he was the one being “fixed.” Can you think of a time when someone you tried to help ended up teaching or changing you? What did you learn? [55:20]

5. Jesus’ final words to the woman are, “Go in peace.” What would it look like for our church or small group to be a place where people can truly “go in peace”—where forgiveness, acceptance, and belonging are lived out? [01:09:33]

6. The sermon says that moments of grace and transformation are woven into everyday life, not just the extraordinary. Where have you seen or experienced God’s grace in ordinary moments recently? [01:06:29]

7. The church is called to be a community of forgiven and forgiving people. What is one practical step you can take this week to extend forgiveness or hospitality to someone in your life? [01:09:33]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for eyes to see others as Jesus does, for hearts full of gratitude, and for courage to practice radical hospitality in their daily lives.

Devotional

Day 1: Radical Hospitality—Seeing the Unseen

The story of the woman anointing Jesus’ feet in Luke 7 challenges us to see people as Jesus does, not through the labels or judgments of society, but through eyes of compassion and welcome. Jesus turns to Simon and asks, “Do you see this woman?”—inviting us to notice those whom others overlook or dismiss. True hospitality means recognizing the dignity and worth of every person, especially those who are often written off or marginalized. When we open our hearts and homes to others, we reflect the radical hospitality of Christ, who welcomes all without exception. [12:46]

Luke 7:44 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: Who in your daily life might you be overlooking or judging by outward labels? How can you intentionally “see” and welcome them this week?


Day 2: Grateful Love—Responding to Forgiveness

The woman’s extravagant act of love was not motivated by shame, but by overwhelming gratitude for the grace she had received. Her tears and actions flowed from a heart awakened to the gift of forgiveness and new life. Rather than focusing on her past, she responded to Jesus’ acceptance with bold, joyful love, unconcerned with the opinions of others. This story invites us to consider whether our own lives are marked by such gratitude—are we so aware of God’s mercy that we can’t help but pour out love in return? [01:03:46]

Luke 7:47 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Reflection: When was the last time you were so grateful for God’s grace that it moved you to a bold or loving action? What might it look like to express that gratitude today?


Day 3: All Have Missed the Mark

It is easy to single out others as “sinners,” but Scripture reminds us that all have missed the mark and fallen short of God’s glory. The label “sinful woman” does not set her apart from the rest of us; rather, it highlights our shared need for grace. Recognizing our own brokenness keeps us humble and open to God’s mercy, and it prevents us from judging others harshly. Instead of focusing on who is “in” or “out,” we are called to embrace the truth that we all stand in need of forgiveness and love. [58:21]

Romans 3:23 (ESV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself comparing your “sins” to those of others? How can you practice humility and compassion toward yourself and those around you?


Day 4: The Church as a Community of Forgiven and Forgiving

The story in Luke 7 reveals the deep need for a community where forgiven and forgiving people can belong. The woman’s experience shows that the institutions meant to restore her had excluded her, but Jesus’ blessing—“Go in peace”—points to the kind of church we are called to be: a place where everyone is truly welcome, regardless of their past. Such a community is marked by acceptance, grace, and the shared journey of transformation. We are invited to help build a church that says, “You’re welcome here,” embodying the love and peace of Christ. [01:09:33]

Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

Reflection: How can you help make your church or community a place where everyone feels truly welcomed and at home, especially those who have felt excluded?


Day 5: Awakened to Gratitude—Finding Glimmers of God’s Love

Throughout our lives, God gives us moments—glimmers—of love and grace that awaken us to gratitude. Whether through the embrace of a child, the kindness of a friend, or the beauty of a simple gift, these experiences remind us of the goodness and blessing of life itself. Being attentive to these moments can transform our perspective, helping us to live with wonder, love, and praise. Today, take time to notice and give thanks for the glimmers of God’s love that surround you. [01:07:41]

Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Reflection: What is one “glimmer” of God’s love you have noticed recently? How can you express your gratitude for it in a tangible way today?

Quotes

Because I wonder why this story is not called Jesus anointed by the enormously grateful woman. Because sinful doesn't really single her out. It's like saying, Jesus anointed by a woman woman who has hair. Well, most women do. do have hair. Most people do have hair. A sinful woman, do you remember, like, I don't know, I may be weird because I grew up Baptist, and so they had us memorize a lot of stuff, but one of the verses we memorized was from Romans, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The word for sin there is hamartia, and it means to miss the bullseye. [00:58:37] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

Already from before we even read this book, we're being, our minds and our hearts are being shifted not to see this person, who she really is, and to write her off. Be careful about that kind of thing in Scripture. [00:59:44] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

This religion that says some are in and some are out. And if you can tell that I'm a little juiced up about this, then your perceptions are working. This describes my calling to ministry. I'm a Luke -trained kind of guy, is what I am. [01:02:31] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

And you got to be careful because we immediately, when we read a passage like that, the category we put ourselves in is what? The 500 denarii center or the 50 one? Yeah, you don't have to raise hands. We're all the 500 version. It's just some of us don't know it. [01:03:23] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Some of us don't have an appreciation for the blessing of life, not just forgiveness, but of life itself that we have. This is a story, not of someone who was awakened to what a sinner she was and how Jesus saved her from the fires of hell. This is a story of a woman who was in love. Can you not see it? [01:03:46] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

This is a story not about someone who is ashamed. This is a story about someone who is so grateful, she doesn't care who's looking. She's dancing like no one sees. She's dancing for an audience of one because she knows she's loved. Do you? [01:04:39] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

And he's talking about Jesus' second blessing line. You remember the first line, he says something about our sins are forgiven. But the last blessing, the ultimate blessing is, go in peace. Do you remember when Michelle read that at the tail end? Go in peace adds considerable pathos to the event. Where does one go when told by Christ? Go in peace. Peace. [01:09:33] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

What she needs is a community of forgiven and forgiving sinners. The story screams the need for a church. Not just any church, but one that says, you're welcome here. [01:10:17] (22 seconds) Edit Clip