The text for this lesson is Luke 7:36–50
Key Point
- In faith, a sinful woman lovingly anointed Jesus’ feet. In faith, we grasp God’s free mercy, receive the forgiveness of sins, and respond with acts of love and praise.
- Law: My sin troubles and harms me, condemning me to eternal death.
- Gospel: God offers His love and forgiveness to me and all sinners who call upon Him for mercy and grants me His peace.
Discussion Points
- How does Romans 4:4–5 explain why faith is not a work done by people? What does Romans 4:6–8 say is the essence of the righteousness of faith, such as the faith that the sinful woman had in Jesus?
- According to Matthew 26:12, what was the purpose of Jesus’ anointing?
- We confess in the Nicene Creed that Jesus Christ is “God of God, light of light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.” What does Jesus do in today’s lesson from Luke 7 that only God can do?
- What actions demonstrate Simon’s rejection of Jesus as the greatest Prophet, the Messiah? What is ironic about Simon’s statement, “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” (Luke 7:39)? According to Luke 5:20–21 and Luke 7:49, what work of Jesus scandalized the Pharisees more than any other?
- Jesus says to Simon, “I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47). Does this verse indicate that the woman was forgiven because she loved Jesus or that she loved Jesus because she was forgiven? How does 1 John 4:19 shed light on this question?
- Paul says in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” When we realize that, we will appreciate why we needed Jesus to come save us. What does Luke 1:77 tell us is Jesus’ mission? How was His mission completed, according to Ephesians 1:7?
