Luke 7:36-50

Here’s a link to the entire passage!

What’s up with Simon the Pharisee? 

At first, he seems to be genuine. He did, after all, invite Jesus to the dinner party at his house. Yet there was evidence from the get-go of his disdain: no washing of Jesus’ feet on arrival, no kiss, no oil on His head. Simon may have been a stickler for the Law, but he was obviously not a stickler for showing honor where honor was due. 

What’s up with the woman labeled “sinful”?

She could not have been more genuine; but we must see her through Jesus’ eyes to recognize this. After all, she did crash the party. But then she wept enough tears to wash Jesus’ feet, dried them with her hair and poured expensive perfume on them. There had to be a genuine reason for such an over-the-top display of honor.

What’s up with Jesus?

Jesus is all about helping everyone within earshot— (which includes us all these centuries later)—answer this question: “Which—the one who owed a lot or the one who owed a little, neither of whom was able to pay their debt--will most love the moneylender who cancels their debt?”

Simon gave the obvious answer, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” (But notice that “suppose” in there? His disdain was apparently still active. Perhaps because he believed he—being a “good” man—owed little.)

“Therefore,” Jesus concludes, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 

“Your sins are forgiven,” He says to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

What’s up in the neighborhood?

“The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

What greater question could a neighborhood ask?! And what a vivid way to be shown the answer to it.  

Time for some soul-searching. 

With whom—Simon or the “sinful woman”—do you identify? (Your answer will have nothing to do with gender, nor anything to do with “obvious” vs. “subtle” sin. It’s more about our recognition of our need for forgiveness as contrasted in Simon and the woman.)

Has our love for Jesus spiked as we have become more aware of His lavish forgiveness of our sins?

As neighbors to both Simon and the sinful woman types, how can Jesus’ response to these two inform our engagement with those like them?