Her Sins Which Are Many Have Been Forgiven

In one paragraph

This message worked through the story of an unnamed sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet in the home of Simon the Pharisee, as told in Luke. The pastor used it to press on the difference between self-justification and genuine contrition, and led the congregation through a liturgy of penitence before taking communion together. the pastor opened by flagging that this passage would be comparatively...

Read together

1. Psalm 51 David's prayer of repentance, against you and you only Lord have I sinned
2. Luke 7 (the sinful woman at the Pharisee's house) the main passage preached, the contrite woman anointing Jesus' feet in Simon's house
3. John 12:3 mentioned as a similar but separate account of a woman anointing Jesus, identified as Mary of Bethany
4. Mark 14 mentioned as another similar but separate account of anointing, noting the value of the perfume
5. Romans cited to establish that all people are sinners
6. Luke 5 (the paralytic lowered through the roof) compared to the sinful woman scene, Jesus forgiving sins and authenticating it with a miracle
7. Mark 2 parallel to Luke 5, the crowd asking who is this who forgives sins
8. 1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness
9. Matthew 11 (come to me all ye who labor and are heavy laden) referenced as the very last call from Jesus in the previous week's passage
10. Luke 18 (the Pharisee and the tax collector) foreshadowed as a coming story contrasting self-justification and contrition
11. Psalm 133 how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together, oil poured over Aaron's beard, used to explain anointing with oil
12. John 13 Jesus washing the disciples feet on the night he was betrayed
13. John 13-17 Jesus teaching the disciples for four straight chapters after the Last Supper
14. 1 Corinthians 11 Paul says whenever we take communion we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again
15. Luke 8:1-3 Jesus traveling with the twelve and women including Mary Magdalene and Joanna contributing to their support
16. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 benediction, my grace is sufficient for you my power is made perfect in weakness

Talk about it

1. The pastor talked about being a 'recovering Pharisee' and said this message is primarily for people who grew up in the church feeling like they have things figured out. In what ways do you recognize that tendency in yourself?
2. Simon gave Jesus no water for his feet, no kiss, and no oil for his head, while the woman gave him all three without being asked. What does the contrast between Simon's invitation and his actual welcome tell us about the difference between outward religious observance and genuine love for Christ?
3. Jesus told Simon that the one forgiven little loves little, but he did not say Simon had actually been forgiven. What do you think it looks like in practice when someone goes through religious motions without ever really reckoning with the weight of their own sin?
4. The woman's outpouring of emotion came because she had already been forgiven before she walked into that house. How does understanding forgiveness as something already received, rather than something we are trying to earn, change the way we approach God?
5. The litany of penitence moved from 'have mercy on us, Lord' to 'we confess to you, Lord' to 'accept our repentance, Lord' and ended with resurrection joy. What did walking through that progression together feel like, and what does it stir up in you about how you normally think about confession?