Slices
Prepare
Stories can be told to entertain or intrigue. Sometimes a story can ‘undo’ a person. Pray that God will give you a heart that is ready to be undone by Jesus’ words today.
Bible passage
Jesus anointed by a sinful woman
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.’
40 Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’
‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said.
41 ‘Two people owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’
43 Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.’
‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said.
44 Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.’
48 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’
50 Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
Explore
In this passage Jesus tells a little story which is within the larger gospel story about him. Jesus was at the home of a Pharisee (v 36). They were interrupted by a sinful woman who anointed Jesus with perfume. The Pharisee judged the woman (v 39), and so Jesus told a story – possibly the shortest story Jesus tells.
The story is about two men who owed money; both were forgiven (vs 41,42). That was it. But it was the follow-up question that did the work here. Which man loved the forgiving creditor more (v 42)? The answer was obvious: it was the one who had been forgiven the greater debt. So, Jesus drew out the parallels. The Pharisee’s hospitality and kindness were limited. In contrast, the woman had been lavish in her devotion to Jesus (vs 44–47).
We celebrate that Jesus came to forgive sinners. But do we feel the personal power of that forgiveness in our own lives? The more we allow God to convict us of our sin, the more our hearts will swell with love for Jesus.
Respond
Ask God to help you see your sin the way he sees it. Now, thank him for his forgiveness. Because of Jesus, we are fully forgiven – more than we often dare to dream. ‘Go in peace’ (v 50).
Deeper Bible study
In every moment of my life, Jesus, give me a fresh revelation of what you have done for me on the cross, of how much you have forgiven me.
In Jesus’ day, dinner guests would recline on couches with their heads near the table, propped up on one elbow and stretching their feet out behind them. This position allows the ‘sinful’ woman (v 37) to anoint Jesus’ feet easily, without approaching the table. This is an intimate and scandalous act, which quickly draws the attention of everyone at the dinner. Jesus uses the moment to make a memorable point. He draws attention to Simon, his Pharisee host, who has apparently committed several faux pas. Luke again contrasts the Pharisees with sinners – and the sinners come out ahead.1
Walking the dusty roads in sandals would lead to dirty feet and it was customary to wash a guest’s feet. It would also be expected to anoint their head with oil and offer them a kiss of greeting. The fact that Simon fails to do this is certainly a significant cultural slight. The contrast with the woman is vivid – she washes Jesus’ feet with her own tears, dries them with her hair, kisses them in greeting and anoints them with expensive perfume. Her acts of welcome and gratitude clearly move Jesus and her sins are forgiven, rather than the Pharisee’s.
Luke often contrasts the actions of religious leaders, whom the reader would expect to receive Jesus’ favour and blessing, with the actions of immoral people, who consistently are the focus of Jesus’ gracious activity. The rationale is simple: ‘whoever has been forgiven little loves little’ (v 47), and vice versa. There is a direct correlation between our awareness of how much God has forgiven us and our ability to express authentic love and gratitude to him, which the woman vividly illustrates.
Lord, remind me of your extravagant forgiveness in my life. Show me what a response of extravagant love looks like – wastefully indulgent in expressing love to you.
1 Cf Luke 5:29–32
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Job 20,21; Luke 20
Pray for Scripture Union
This summer, Mission Enabler Hannah Legge will be taking young leaders to help run a sports mission at Creation Fest in Cornwall alongside partner charity Sportily. Pray that they will become more confident as they share their faith with children, young people and families. Please also pray for good weather as it takes place outside.
