The Devoted Woman & The Disapproving Pharisee

Sermon 29 in Series

Luke 7:36-50

[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.”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does Palm Sunday bring Jesus’ majesty and humility together? How does this week leading up to Resurrection Sunday help to reorient us?
2.   How does this passage contribute to the “big reversal” theme that we’ve talked about? What other passages come to mind?
3.   Why is the woman’s devotion to Christ both a guide to us and a test of authenticity? How does Simon’s response serve as a warning?
4.   What contrasts does the text give us between the woman and the Pharisee? What is Jesus’ conclusion in v. 47?
5.   What does Jesus teach us about relating to others? How does this passage accentuate both the glory of God’s grace and the awfulness of sin?
6.   What are the various attributes of Jesus that Luke draws our attention to in this narrative? How does it deepen your appreciation of Christ and what he has accomplished?

References: Zechariah 9:9; Philippians 2:8; Luke 1:51-53; 5:32; 6:7, 11; Matthew 21:31; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8; Genesis 18:4; 29:13; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:15; Luke 5:31-32; Romans 1:17.