Simon the Pharisee is handed a simple riddle about two debtors, one forgiven five hundred denarii and the other fifty, and he answers it perfectly. That flawless answer is exactly what gives him away, because he grasped it with his mind while his heart walked straight past. Luke’s Gospel (Luke 7) sets him beside a woman who comes into his house uninvited and pours out on Jesus’ feet perfume worth a year’s wages. Love for Christ cannot be manufactured by religious practice, because it is born only from knowing how much has been forgiven. Listen and ask whether your own answer about grace is merely correct, or whether it actually does something to you.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- What in the woman's behavior at Simon the Pharisee's house (Luke 7:36-50) crossed the cultural and religious boundaries of the time, and why might her presence have offended the guests?
- Simon gives the correct answer to the parable of the two debtors, yet the sermon says his heart completely misses it. What do you think Simon failed to grasp?
- Jesus contrasts what Simon did not do (water, a kiss, oil) with what the woman did. What does this contrast reveal about the connection between forgiveness and love?
- The speaker compares knowing God to cooking from a recipe until the smell becomes familiar and brings back memories. Where is your relationship with Jesus today: still the recipe, or already a familiar aroma?
- The sermon warns that service flowing from gratitude can turn into religious practices meant to win God's favor. How can you tell when that is happening in your life?
- If your love for Jesus has cooled, how can you return this week to the original message of forgiveness rather than looking for new information or more duties?
