Session 9: The Flask

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

Pray then like this:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - Luke 7:36–50
• Scripture Memory - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:9–10
• Catechism - Q: What Christian practice helps us to live a life in God’s freedom? A: Confession.

Introduction

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

The way to purge and take away sin is by confession … The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. The way for God to spare us is not to spare ourselves.

Christian confession brings true freedom. For disciples of Christ, confession involves admission of sinful guilt, exaltation of God’s glory, and expressed faith in Jesus Christ. Until we confess our wrongdoing, we bear the burden of our sin, carrying the shame of our past and sulking under the sorrow of a hopeless future. Without acknowledging God’s glory, we are enslaved to false gods, cultural idols, and human tradition. Outside of faith in Christ, we remain in our sin and face the looming destruction of eternal judgment. To practice confession in a Christian way is to gain freedom from sin, to encounter a holy God, and to inherit salvation from divine wrath. So vital is confession to the life of Christ’s disciples that it is both an initial and ongoing spiritual practice. Sinners come to faith in Christ through confession when they acknowledge their sin and affirm their allegiance to Christ. Having come to new life in Christ, believers subsequently nurture their Christian walk with this same faith practice. Life in Christ—both its beginning and sustenance—is characterized by vulnerable, open, and uninhibited disclosure before a just and holy God.

There are many reasons people do not embrace a life of confession. The thought of revealing one’s true character, blemishes and all, is terrifying. To bear a badge of public shame or to acknowledge one’s fallibility before a perfect God leaves us fully exposed. In confession, we can no longer pretend that we are better than we actually are. Faced with our true condition, we cannot even hold on to claims that we are better than others. People dread full self-disclosure. Additionally, sin deceives. Many are convinced that they will find pleasure in their secret sin. This leads people to conceal their guilt as a means of self-protection and self-preservation. An adversary and liar, Satan perpetually tempts people to sin and dissuades people from confession. He knows that an unconfessed life remains under the bondage of sin and the tyranny of evil. To overcome the myriad obstructions to confession, one needs courage, faith, and humility. On the other side of Christian confession await divine blessings. Forgiveness, freedom, peace, salvation, and joy are the inheritance of all Christian disciples who embrace this spiritual habit. As Jesus’ life and ministry have been faithful guides that teach about other faith habits, they likewise help us understand the spiritual practice of confession.

Luke 7:36–50 recounts an encounter between Jesus and a sinful woman. A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to a meal. A publicly known sinner came to the meal, hoping that Jesus would help her. Overcome with grief, she washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair. She repeatedly kissed Jesus’ feet, expressing her affection. In a display of faith and devotion, she anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume. Simon the Pharisee disapproved of her actions and questioned Jesus’ identity. Jesus addressed Simon’s consternation by telling him a short parable, explaining to him that great forgiveness leads to great love. In a stern rebuke, Jesus contrasted the woman’s faithful actions against Simon’s spiritual poverty. In the end, Jesus forgave the woman’s sin, declared her salvation, and sent her away in peace.

This narrative teaches that genuine confession is a means to find freedom from sin. As guilty sinners, this spiritual practice is a fitting outlet for the sorrow and remorse we bear. In confession, we acknowledge our guilt and culpability in wrongdoing. It is an act of repentance that involves the renunciation and rejection of sinful lifestyles. Inasmuch as confession acknowledges sin and guilt, it also expresses faith in and devotion to Christ. Knowing the true gravity of our sin is a first step in dependence on Christ. Jesus holds the exclusive ability and means to forgive sin, absolve guilt, remove shame, and cleanse impurity. In this way, to come to the feet of Jesus is an act of desperation and hope. Under the conviction of sin, we recognize with urgency the dire situation of our sinful condition. Falling at his feet in humility and surrender, we confidently plead for his mercy and forgiveness. As we study this important biblical text, may we find the freedom of confession, and may we discover our most prized position at the feet of Christ.

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

God invites us into a life of freedom and forgiveness through the Christian practice of confession.

Passage Overview

In her desperation and need, the sinful woman in this story came to Jesus with a hope that he would rescue her from her sin, shame, and guilt. At Jesus’ feet, the sinful woman assumed the most appropriate position for a sinner seeking God’s grace and forgiveness. Her actions toward Jesus amounted to an act of confession: an acknowledgement of her sin and declaration of trust in Jesus. Her humble submission, wholehearted devotion, and heartfelt affection were in stark contrast to Simon the Pharisee. Her example is commended to us. Likewise, his character serves as a warning. The spiritual practice of confession brings us to the feet of Christ with an earnest plea for grace, pity, and forgiveness. In confession, we place ourselves at God’s mercy, refusing to hold on to any vestige of self-confidence or self-promotion. At the feet of Jesus, we own our sin and declare faith in Christ. To conceal nothing before a holy God, to plead for forgiveness of sin, and to cling to Jesus in trust and hope is to become a beneficiary of divine blessing. Salvation, peace, love, and cleansing are the promised fruits of genuine confession. In light of these truths, use the following commentary to help you understand this text and gain a deeper grasp of the very important practice of confession in Christian living.

Passage Outline

Confession to God with No Reserve

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

But what can be more foolish than to suppose that anything escapes God’s notice.

Introduction

This narrative is an open invitation to humbly come to Jesus’ feet and find freedom, forgiveness, and new life. The desire to conceal our sin will tempt us to steer clear of coming to Jesus in genuine faith. Avoiding Jesus and hiding sin is a certain recipe for destruction, both in this life and in the life to come. Only at the feet of Christ can we find cleansing from guilt, removal of shame, rescue from judgment, and enduring peace. At the feet of Jesus, we do not stand in a position of power or prestige. When we lower ourselves at his feet, we let go of our excuses for sin, we abandon the defenses of our pride, and we remove all superficial veneers we have used to cover our shame and guilt. At Jesus’ feet, all is laid bare, and we come to Christ in complete abandon. We cling to him in desperation, faith, and hope. We come to his feet because we know his grace is extravagant, his mercy is deep, and his forgiveness is lasting. While we have nothing to offer him, he has new life he wants to freely bestow on us. There is no remedy for sin outside of Christ, and there is no freedom in unconfessed sin. At Jesus’ feet, we are beggars who plead for divine mercy. To humble ourselves at Jesus’ feet is a fitting depiction of the life of confession and faith.

The moving narrative of Luke 7:36–50 recounts the story of a sinful woman who found forgiveness at Jesus’ feet. Her encounter with Christ was a life-transforming experience. In the historical narrative, Jesus accepted an invitation to eat with a certain Pharisee named Simon. While Jesus was reclining at the table, the sinful woman approached Jesus in desperation and humility. She was overwhelmed with sorrow, washing Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair. She repeatedly kissed Jesus’ feet as a sign of deep affection. She anointed his feet with perfume to show her devotion. The Pharisee host was displeased with her actions and disgruntled at Jesus’ tolerance of the sinful woman. Christ told the host a short parable in order to teach about the nature of genuine confession and divine forgiveness. Jesus confronted the man’s lack of hospitality and elevated the lowly, sinful woman as an example of faith, piety, and devotion. Forgiveness of many sins bears the fruit of great love. Jesus forgave the woman’s sins, granting her freedom, salvation, peace, and newness of life.

This narrative summons us to a life of confession. This spiritual practice is not only a means to receive new life in Christ but also a vital habit to maintain vibrancy in our spiritual walk. The example of the sinful woman presents a compelling portrait of the character of genuine confession. Her transformed life also focuses our attention on the blessings that come to those willing to confess their sin and place their faith in Christ. Jesus’ instructions challenge us to consider the essence of Christian faith and devotion. Rather than endorsing a merit-based system of morality, Jesus emphatically taught that devotion to God stems from being a recipient of God’s undeserved mercy and lavish forgiveness. The Christian life is rooted in the premise that one gains life, freedom, and forgiveness by faith in God’s gracious gift of salvation. The skepticism from Simon the Pharisee (and the other guests) is also important in this narrative. They questioned Jesus’ identity. Simon struggled to understand why Jesus would allow a sinful person to approach him; the guests wondered how Jesus had the ability to forgive sins. In all, this narrative about Christian confession is really a text about the Christian life. Let us attentively read this brief historical account and come to terms with Jesus’ open invitation for any and all who will approach him in humility, faith, affection, and confession.

When She Met Jesus: Putting Faith into Action

Biblical Narrative (Luke 7:36–38)

This narrative takes place during a meal hosted by a Jewish religious leader. We later learn that his name is Simon (7:40). His dining event turned out to be a spiritual encounter with a sinful woman and Jesus. One day, a Pharisee “invited Jesus to eat with him” (7:36). Culture highly valued the common practice of hospitality at that time. A person’s status, prominence, and dignity were often connected with the kind of people at one’s table. Similarly, guests were highly honored and greatly anticipated. Guests (and sometimes strangers) were often received with open arms. There was a latent understanding that a guest would bring blessing and favor to a welcoming household. An important practice that strengthened the ties of the society, table fellowship revealed much about a person’s social, economic, and religious standing.

Frequently interacting in homes and around meals, Jesus accepted the Pharisee’s invitation. Jesus “entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table” (7:36). News must have spread throughout the town that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house. A certain “woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there” (7:37). Being a “sinful woman” (7:37), she wanted to meet Jesus. She understood her sinfulness and desired Jesus’ pardon. Society had confirmed her impure and immoral (7:39) and rejected her. For legitimate reasons, her community had marked her as a religious deviant. She had lived an ungodly life, committing “many sins” (7:47).

Consequently, this ostracized and marginalized woman came to Jesus, the only one who could remedy her broken and hopeless life. The sinful woman went to see Jesus and “brought an alabaster jar of perfume” (7:37). When she arrived at the meal, she came to Jesus and “stood behind Him” (7:38). Knowing her broken condition, the woman was “at His feet weeping” (7:38). Her rear position behind Jesus and her lowly position at Jesus’ feet were matched by her visible sorrow and grief. Seeking to honor Jesus and demonstrate her devotion to him, the sinful woman “wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair” (7:38). In addition, she “kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume” (7:38). Lowly and distraught—but humble and earnest—the woman had met the one who could rescue her from the grave consequences of sin.

Biblical Principles

Jesus’ Hospitality, Accessibility, and Availability. The setting of this narrative is significant. Jesus was an invited guest at a Pharisee’s house (7:36). To many, the nature of this gathering would have required proper behavior, pious display, and cultural convention. To dine at the invitation of a Jewish religious leader was a responsibility as much as an honor. A sinful woman entering with such unrestrained endearment would have disrupted the propriety of the event. The Pharisee’s silent reaction exhibited frustration over her unsettling presence. Ironically, Jesus took over the role of host upon her arrival. Clearly on display was the woman’s sorrow for her sin and affection for Jesus (7:37–38). Jesus received her in a broken and fraught state. The Pharisee’s cheerless indignation was in stark contrast to Jesus’ welcoming spirit. The man’s aversion to the sinful woman differed greatly from the close proximity between Jesus and the woman. The woman’s expressive actions are glaringly dissimilar to the Pharisee’s silent critique. The host of the meal was intolerant toward guests of her kind; Jesus was receptive to sinners who came in lowliness, contrition, and humility.

Jesus’ hospitality, accessibility, and availability are major themes in this story. Christian confession is based upon the fact that God is welcoming and hospitable. Jesus welcomes sinners who come to him in lowliness and humility. Such lowliness and humility are expressions of genuine faith, a desperate recourse to seek God’s gracious help and divine assistance. Regardless of our past brokenness, our present sin, or our future weakness, Jesus is ready and willing to receive those who come in humble faith. Jesus holds a wide embrace for sinners who recognize their guilt and their need for his healing grace. He is not pressured by human propriety. He is not deterred by the complexity or difficulty of people’s lives. He does not demand that people clean themselves up before approaching him. He does not require sinners to come at certain times or through certain rituals. Jesus is open and eager to receive contrite sinners at any time. This divine hospitality is a sure foundation and a motivating stimulus to Christian confession.

Faith into Action. Confession is rooted in faithful action. What matters in Christian confession is not simply feelings of guilt or sentiments of wrongdoing. Confession is a faith-based response that is expressed in movement toward Jesus and away from sin. Although the woman in this narrative remained speechless, her silent conduct exhibited her faith in Christ and her admission of sinful guilt (7:37–38). She visibly and physically moved toward Christ. Her attachment to Christ represented her desire to depart from her sinful past. The woman’s actions were themselves confessional acts. Acts of anointing, kissing, and washing were displays of affection and attachment to Christ. Her position behind Jesus, her lowliness at Jesus’ feet, and the undoing of her hair represented her uninhibited acknowledgement of sin and guilt. While words are important, true confession is validated by the actions of the confessor. Penitent prayers and declarations of guilt are helpful means to confess, but actions demonstrate the true substance of our words.

The woman’s actions give insight into the nature of genuine confession. The sinful woman displayed courageous humility. The woman came “behind” Jesus and “at His feet” (7:38). One reason the woman was in this position was that Jesus was reclining at the table. Her position behind Jesus was also important because of what it revealed about her heart. To enter the house of an important religious leader during a mealtime gathering was a display of great courage. To remain at Jesus’ feet was a demonstration of great humility. The woman also displayed hopeful sorrow. She came to Jesus weeping (7:38). This was no whimper of regret, but a woe of remorse. Apparently, her crying was so strong that it produced enough tears to wet Jesus’ feet. The woman’s overwhelming sorrow did not lead her into despair; it led her to Jesus. She came to Jesus with a grieving heart, confident that he could remedy her sorrow and resolve her guilt. So confident and hopeful was the woman that she dared to enter this mealtime gathering.

The woman also came to Jesus in full disclosure. That she wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair meant she did not have her hair covered or wrapped. In that culture, a woman with uncovered or unwrapped hair would be considered immodest or immoral. It suggested an impure and unchaste lifestyle. Although the woman’s sins were not named, her uncovered hair might insinuate the particular (sexual?) nature of her sin. Regardless of her specific sins, the woman did not come to Jesus trying to preserve her dignity or limit her exposure. She was unconcerned about how others perceived her. The main concern of her heart was to make herself fully known to Jesus. Inasmuch as she brought her sorrow to Jesus, she also brought to him her shame. Importantly, the sinful woman also displayed sacrificial devotion toward Jesus. Washing Jesus’ feet was an act of costly service and unreserved commitment (7:38). By anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (7:37–38), she expressed Jesus’ value and her trust in him. In a sign of affection, the woman profusely kissed Jesus’ feet (7:38; cf. 7:45). Joined together, the actions of the woman amounted to one great act of humble confession of sin and loving devotion to Jesus. She simultaneously divulged her sin and expressed her allegiance to Christ.

In practicing the discipline of confession, we should heed the woman’s example. We must back our confession through words by demonstrations of faithful actions: moving toward Jesus and moving away from sin. In this way, confession is an act of genuine repentance, renouncing sin and ungodly living. Christian confession requires humility before God and a sorrowful recognition of our guilt. It hides nothing. It is wholehearted in its submission to Christ and abandonment of sin. When believers confess, they make both a statement of faith in Jesus and an admission of sinful guilt. Loyalty to Christ is as essential as forsaking a sinful lifestyle. To come to Christ in full disclosure is to commit our lives to Christ in undiluted fidelity. This commitment is not a dispassionate duty. Rather, as the woman herself demonstrates, it is a devotion of affection in which we lovingly attach ourselves to the one who graciously forgives our debt of sin.

What Kind of Woman: Acknowledging the Reality of Sin

Biblical Narrative (Luke 7:38–43)

The host of the meal was not pleased that this sinful woman had visited Jesus. Moreover, he disapproved that Jesus was so open to receiving the sinful woman, especially a sinful woman with such an emotional and performative display of grief over her sin and love for Jesus (7:38). In this narrative, Jesus’ role as guest had become that of host, welcoming a known sinner to the gathering. The Pharisee was annoyed and vexed by this. Trying to maintain decorum and public honor, the Pharisee did not voice his displeasure to the group. Instead, he expressed his irritation “to himself” (7:39). The frustrated Pharisee certainly pronounced judgment on the woman. He emphatically identified her by her immorality: “she is a sinner” (7:39). But the Pharisee’s main critique came against Jesus. He reckoned that Jesus would not receive such a sinful woman “if this man were a prophet” (7:39). The Pharisee reasoned that Jesus would have conducted himself differently if he knew “who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him” (7:39). In the mind of this Pharisee, Jesus was expected to act with propriety and social decency. According to some of the Jewish religious elite, pious spiritual leaders needed to maintain an appropriate distance and distinction from known sinners lest they compromise their holy condition and religious status through ritual contamination.

Even though the Pharisee did not publicly speak his mind, Jesus knew his private concerns. Taking the role of a teacher, Jesus proceeded to tell Simon the Pharisee a brief parable (7:40). Jesus’ words addressed the man’s undisclosed thoughts and challenged all humanity around the topic of confession and forgiveness. Jesus told the man a short story about a moneylender who had two debtors: “one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty” (7:41). At that time, a denarius was about a day’s wage for common labor. This means the first man owed the moneylender nearly one-and-a-half years of wages, and the second man owed the man nearly two months of wages. Both amounts were substantive, but the first man was obviously in far greater debt. Jesus explained that both “were unable to repay” (7:42). In an act of grace and kindness, the moneylender “forgave both of them” (7:42).

With both debts cleared, neither debtor owed any money to the moneylender. The burden of their financial crisis had been lifted. After narrating this brief story, Jesus posed a question to Simon the Pharisee: “Which one, then, will love him more?” (7:42). The Pharisee told Jesus that “the one who was forgiven more” was probably the one who loved more. To be forgiven of a greater debt would precipitate deeper gratitude, appreciation, and love. What the Pharisee reckoned about the debtors—“I suppose” (7:43)—was accurate and truthful. Jesus told him that he had “judged correctly” (7:43). What he needed was to apply this true principle to his own heart, a heart that held disdain toward the sinful woman and suspicion at Jesus’ welcoming spirit.

Biblical Principles

Conviction of Sin. Christian confession is a fitting response when under the conscious weight of sin. The human conscience is a faculty that alerts us to right and wrong, good and evil, and righteousness and wickedness. To sense one’s culpability and guilt is to honestly acknowledge that one has fallen short of God’s holy standards. The woman in this narrative had clearly come under conviction of sin. In the biblical text, the unnamed woman is clearly identified as a “sinful woman” (7:37) who was guilty of “many sins” (7:47; cf. 7:41–42, 48). The surrounding community and religious authorities were aware that she was “a sinner” (7:39). People had known her character: “who she [was]” and “what kind of woman” (7:39) she was. Her soiled reputation and sinful status had been imprinted on the collective consciousness of the town. Hence, the designation that she was a “woman from that town” (7:37; literally, “a woman in the city”) is more than just an identification of her place of residence. It cast a shadowy suspicion about her suspect morality: she was a representative of the corrupt culture of the day.

In the practice of confession, believers not only feel the weight of their sin, but they also acknowledge the guilt of their sin. The woman was clearly (and rightfully) designated a sinner. According to the narrative, she had done many immoral things that violated God’s commands. Even Jesus acknowledged that she was a sinner (7:47). Amazingly, the woman did not seem to hide from her sin. Instead, she acknowledged her guilt before Jesus, the Pharisee, and all the other guests. Her low position at Jesus’ feet, her exposed hair before the assembly of diners, and her emotional turmoil before Jesus all point to the fact that the woman admitted her sinfulness. She did not come next to Jesus to explain her sin; she came to his feet in humility, accepting her sinful guilt. All genuine confession is rooted in a deeply felt conviction of sin and an honest admission of guilt, which leads one to appeal to God for forgiveness and pardon.

Sinful Debt and Divine Forgiveness. Jesus compared human sinfulness to having a debt with a moneylender. The brief parable of two debtors who owed different amounts to a moneylender highlights this comparison. The five-hundred-denarii debt and the fifty-denarii debt both required repayment (7:41). Both debts were substantive—around seventeen months’ wage for the greater debt and nearly two months’ wage for the lesser debt. Although the amount of money owed to the moneylender differed for each of the debtors, one thing remained identical: both “were unable to repay him” (7:42). The only way these debtors could escape their financial crisis was for the moneylender to extend incredible kindness and forgive their debt (7:42–43). In this act, the moneylender acknowledged the severity of the debt, the inability of the debtors, and the gravity of their pending judgment. Essentially, to receive forgiveness in this situation was for the moneylender to cancel an unpayable debt that resulted in escape from deserved punishment and penalty.

To be in debt financially is to be in a position where one owes money (and perhaps interest) to someone else. There is a pressing obligation and serious duty to repay a lender what is owed. Those who cannot and do not pay back their monetary debt experience severe consequences. To be in debt spiritually is to owe God righteous and godly conduct. His perfection demands this from all humanity. God requires people to live holy and upright lives. Those who fall short of God’s character and standards are effectively in debt to God. Every act of disobedience, rebellion, and immorality puts us into debt with God. All humans must (eventually) reckon with this debt. Those who cannot pay back this debt of sin—which is all humanity—are effectively enslaved in their debt. As debtors to God and slaves to sin, all humans depend upon God’s grace, kindness, and forgiveness.

The Christian life begins with an honest act of confession to a gracious God who is ready to forgive sins in Christ. In this act of confession, sinners affirm God’s holy character, acknowledge their debt of sin, accept guilt for their immorality, and recognize the severity of their pending punishment. Those who come to God in faith admit their inability to absolve themselves of their sin and plead for God to forgive them. Humble and contrite sinners recognize that God’s grace and kindness are their only hope to have their debt canceled, their guilt removed, their slavery ended, and their punishment rescinded. One of the first great acts of saving faith is an honest, humble, and heartfelt confession to God. Although confession is part of establishing a reconciled relationship with God, confession is also a continued practice of faithful disciples. Those who follow Christ will continue to sin and commonly fall into temptation. The appropriate response for such sin is confession. This does not mean that a believer can lose their salvation or forfeit their original forgiveness (cf. John 6:37; 10:27–28; 17:12). Instead, it means that the practice of confession is a habit of Christian living, ever ready to acknowledge God’s righteousness and our sinfulness.

Do You See This Woman: Commending the Example of Confession

Biblical Narrative (Luke 7:44–47)

After confronting the Pharisees’ judgmentalism and skepticism, Jesus talked specifically about the woman, upholding her as an exemplar of faith. He talked to Simon as he turned “toward the woman” (7:44). Simon was the object of his address, but the woman was the subject of his comments. Jesus compared and contrasted the woman’s faithful action with the Pharisee’s careless negligence. With the words, “Do you see this woman?” (7:44), Jesus drew attention to the sinful woman with focus and precision. He recounted the treatment given to him during the time at the Pharisee’s house. Simon the Pharisee did not give Jesus water to wash his feet, but the sinful woman used her own tears and her unwrapped hair to wash Jesus’ feet (7:44). Jesus told how the Pharisee did not greet Jesus with a kiss; in contrast, the sinful woman had continued to kiss Jesus’ feet since his arrival (7:45). The Pharisee did not anoint Jesus’ head with oil; yet the woman anointed Jesus’ feet with her perfume (7:46).

Simon’s hospitality was formal, procedural, and superficial. It lacked affection, honor, and sincerity. Although he was a religious leader, Simon could not be considered a spiritual example for others to follow. The woman’s treatment of Jesus was solemn, heartfelt, and passionate. Societal norms and cultural mores were not of her concern. Her sinful condition had made her desperate to meet Jesus. Having come into his presence, the sinful woman was profuse and unreserved about her affection for Christ. Although she held no official religious pedigree, her contrition, brokenness, and penitence made her a pious exemplar of confession. After contrasting the Pharisee and the sinful woman, Jesus explained that the sinful woman “loved much” because “her many sins have been forgiven” (7:47). Her affection was great because her canceled debt was great. Jesus explained that the converse was also true: “He who has been forgiven little loves little” (7:47). A person’s love and affection are directly connected to the amount of received forgiveness.

Biblical Principles

Example of Faith and Devotion. Jesus turned to the woman but addressed the Pharisee. His question “Do you see this woman?” (7:44) was not simply informational. Jesus was commending the sinful woman as an example of faith and devotion to Christ. As long as the Pharisee looked with scorn on the woman and with skepticism toward Jesus, he would be excluded from forgiveness. His religious pedigree and pious exterior were only a veneer for a hypocritical spirit, and that marked him as a spiritual fraud. Certainly, this ancient society upheld people in Simon’s position as faith exemplars. Simon held some rank in this elite caste of religious devotees. Jesus challenged the structures and assumptions of this misplaced morality. In this story, Simon was a foil for the unnamed sinful woman, whose genuine piety is depicted in stark relief to all forms of snobbish religiosity represented by the Pharisees. Ironically, the sinful woman became a model of faith and devotion through her humble disposition, lowly contrition, and heartfelt affection for Jesus. This woman also serves as an example for us today. She summons us toward Jesus, calling us to faith and devotion expressed through unfeigned confession.

The Nature of Confession. In this narrative, the woman’s conduct teaches us about the nature of Christian confession. Jesus drew attention to this conduct by contrasting the treatment he received from the Pharisee and the sinful woman. This contrast revolved around three specific actions: washing Jesus’ feet (7:44), kissing Jesus’ feet (7:45), and anointing Jesus’ feet (7:46). Jesus emphasized a contrast in quality and intensity between the formal show of hospitality given by Simon the Pharisee and the genuine, affectionate outpouring by the sinful woman. Simon’s lackluster hospitality was severely deficient in important features. He did not receive Jesus in ways that would have been culturally expected. He did not wash Jesus’ feet with water. He did not greet Jesus with so much as one kiss. And, he did not anoint Jesus at all. His omissions were glaring. In contrast, the sinful woman honored Jesus in the three ways neglected by Simon. In fact, the woman also exceeded the Pharisee in her intensity. She could have washed Jesus’ feet with water. Instead, she washed them with her tears. She could have greeted him with one kiss. Yet, the woman profusely and unceasingly lavished kisses on Jesus’ feet. To anoint Jesus’ head with oil would have been culturally sufficient. The woman anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. The woman’s faith-filled treatment of Jesus was passionate, fervent, and earnest.

Her unfurled and uninhibited esteem of Jesus illuminates the character of Christian confession. All her actions revolved around Jesus’ feet (7:44–46), highlighting the necessity of coming to Christ in lowliness and humility. Her copious tears, abundant enough to wet Jesus’ feet (7:44), emphasize the requisite grief, remorse, and sorrow that must attend genuine Christian confession. The woman’s continuous kissing of Jesus’ feet (7:45) underscores the desperation that drives people to confess their sin and confess their faith in Christ. For the woman (and for all genuine disciples), sincere confession places one’s entire hope and confidence in Christ. To anoint Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (7:46) signals the woman’s sacrificial devotion and abandonment of her previous lifestyle. Rather than applying her costly perfume to herself (perhaps something she was prone to do in her sinful lifestyle), she used it to anoint Jesus’ feet. When believers confess, they surrender earthly treasures and renounce sinful lifestyles. The woman’s three actions also emphasize what one intends in the spiritual practice of confession. By washing Jesus’ feet, the woman was taking the submissive posture of a servant to Christ. Her profuse and persistent kisses exhibited an affection and attachment to Christ. The anointing of his feet was a declaration of loyalty and fidelity to Jesus. In confession, Christ’s disciples declare that he is the object of their service, affection, and loyalty.

The Fruit of Love. The woman’s unrestrained attachment to Jesus surely struck against social sensibilities, but it also revealed the heart of true confession. Her cultural indiscretion was part of her confessional integrity. Above all, the woman knew that only Jesus could forgive her of a stained and sullied past such as hers. She received Christ’s loving forgiveness and henceforward would have much love toward Christ. Love was the fruit of her being a beneficiary of divine mercy. To yield oneself so completely to Jesus, as the sinful woman did, is to be a recipient of God’s extravagant grace. Recipients of God’s mercy and forgiveness possess a newfound love and affection. Jesus had explained that the man who had the larger debt forgiven would love more (7:42). Because the sinful woman had many sins forgiven, she would love much (7:47). Confession is not a dispassionate spiritual transaction. Confession of sin is a repudiation and disdain of evil. Confession of faith in Christ is an unreserved affection toward Jesus. This twofold confession not only fills one with a love toward Christ but also an ability to extend loving forgiveness to others. In this regard, the logic of this passage is important. The greater one understands the gravity of sin and the depth of divine forgiveness, the more one will be able to love Christ and others. Truly, confession ushers Christian disciples into a whole new existence—a transformed way of living toward God and fellow humanity.

Transformed Status: Receiving Forgiveness from Our Sins

Biblical Narrative (Luke 7:47–50)

In an act of divine grace, Jesus pronounced forgiveness over the sinful woman: “Your sins are forgiven” (7:48). Jesus had already said that the woman had “many sins” (7:47). For a woman of the city—a marginalized and vulnerable deviant known for her immorality and judged by religious elite—to have heard these words would have been great news indeed. Jesus transformed her sinful condition into a pure character. This prompted the other guests to wonder about Jesus’ identity. Like Simon, who earlier voiced his concerns about Jesus in private, the others “at the table began to say to themselves” (7:49), inquiring into who Jesus was. Specifically, they wondered who Jesus might be as one “who even forgives sins” (7:49). While they discussed their astonishment and fascination, Jesus expressed good news to the woman: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (7:50). Her whole act of contrition, repentance, grief, and affection was grounded in a humble and sincere faith in Christ. She entered the gathering as a scorned and sinful deviant; she left the meal with salvation, peace, and Jesus’ favor. Her courageous, humble, and faith-filled act uplifts her as a model of confession and contrition in the Christian life.

Biblical Principles

Faith as a Foundation of Confession. If love is the fruit of Christian confession (7:42, 47), faith is its necessary root. At the heart of the woman’s lavish treatment of Jesus was authentic faith. Jesus revealed this when he narrated her actions: “Your faith has saved you” (7:50). Faith in Christ was at the root of the woman’s mealtime conduct. She had come to the meal to find Jesus. Her extravagance was a mark of dedication to Christ. Her sin being impossible for her to remedy, the woman had surrendered herself fully to Jesus’ safekeeping. She believed in Christ. She trusted in Christ. She committed herself to Christ. She hoped in Christ. These ways of relating to Jesus—belief, trust, commitment, and hope—serve as essential characteristics of faith. In great desperation and with eager expectation, the sinful woman had fully oriented herself to Christ. In order to so completely align herself with Christ, she could not reserve the rights over her past lifestyle, her present life, or her future livelihood. She could no longer conceal her sin or shame. Her full disclosure at the feet of the reclining Jesus amounted to a confession—both an admission of her sin and a declaration of Jesus’ sufficiency to remedy her situation. At its core, her confessional display was an expression of genuine faith in Christ.

Divine Blessings of Forgiveness. The woman’s faith moved her to confession. Her faith-filled confession resulted in manifest blessing. For a sinful woman shamed by society and rejected by the religious community, her encounter with Jesus radically transformed her entire life. True for her and all humanity, blessings abound when even the most egregious sinner responds to Jesus in faith. Faith in Christ results in definitive and irrevocable forgiveness of sins (7:48). To receive Jesus’ forgiveness is also to be transformed into a person of love. Jesus had already mentioned the great love this woman had because of her many sins (7:42, 47). In addition, Jesus’ forgiveness brings about salvation in the place of divine punishment. All who come to Christ in faith and confession are rescued from God’s righteous judgment. Believers in Christ cling to the words Jesus spoke to the confessing woman: “Your faith has saved you” (7:50). That Jesus dismissed the woman in peace (7:50) was more than a mere departing formality. Being a recipient of Jesus’ forgiveness made her a beneficiary of God-given peace. Her new life would no longer be defined by fear, blame, and accusation. Instead, Jesus’ kindness enriched her with an abiding sense of divine favor, comfort, and rest.

Identity of Jesus. As much as the woman was the object of the Pharisee’s scrutiny, another inquiry dominated his biblical narrative. Simon and his guests questioned the identity of Jesus. Simon the Pharisee questioned whether Jesus was a real prophet because he openly received a sinful woman with a checkered reputation (7:39). The other guests witnessed Jesus absolving the woman’s guilt and wondered who had authority to forgive sins (7:48). Simon the Pharisee accurately “judged” (7:43) Jesus’ parable, but was unable (and reluctant) to come to terms with Jesus’ identity. Although there is no record of the woman’s speech in this narrative, the sinful woman plainly understood who Jesus was and expressed this understanding by her faithful actions (7:44–46). Her actions “spoke” loudly and clearly. Inasmuch as Christian confession is an acknowledgment of human sin, it is also an affirmation of faith in Christ. Christian confession occurs when honesty about our sinful condition meets the reality of Jesus’ person. To know Jesus truly is to consider him able to forgive sin, remove shame, secure salvation, and grant a sinner new life.

Conclusion

This brief biblical narrative offers a vivid example of confession. It commends this spiritual practice as a means of becoming Christ’s disciple and as an ongoing practice for spiritual growth. The sinful woman’s unexpected entrance into the Pharisee’s house clearly depicted her faith through her extravagant actions. Although woman’s sinfulness was quite known, she was unembarrassed to lay herself at the feet of Jesus. Acknowledging her sin and making a declaration about Christ, she accepted her lowly status at Jesus’ feet. In so doing, she demonstrated humility, submission, devotion, and affection for Christ. She washed his feet with her tears. She profusely kissed his feet. And, she anointed his feet with expensive perfume. Witnessing this scene, Simon the Pharisee questioned Jesus’ identity and scorned the sinful woman’s presence near his table. Jesus confronted the Pharisees’ spiritual ignorance with a brief parable. He explained that those forgiven greatly will love greatly. In the end, Jesus forgave the woman’s sins, pronounced her salvation, and upheld her as a model of Christian confession.

The faith practice of confession offers a path of freedom from the entanglement of sin. This spiritual discipline requires people to remove all veneers of superficial spirituality. One cannot cling to position, prestige, or power and be a recipient of Jesus’ forgiveness. Disciples of Christ must acknowledge their sin with desperation and urgency. When this happens, it is impossible to maintain cultural decorum or formal propriety. Genuine faith, which is at the foundation of all confession, irresistibly draws us to Jesus with full abandon. To surrender oneself at the feet of Jesus is to renounce sin in sorrow and cling to Christ in faith. Confession is a means to express sincere repentance and wholehearted devotion. When we do so—be it as a new believer or a seasoned saint—we undergo a dynamic and life-altering spiritual transformation. For those willing to follow the example of this sinful woman, Christ-centered confession promises a new life defined by forgiveness, salvation, peace, and love.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 9 SYNOPSIS
Confession	In this passage, Jesus commends the practice of confession. During a meal at the house of Simon the Pharisee, a sinful woman of the city approached Jesus and washed his feet with her tears, kissed his feet, and anointed his feet with perfume. Simon did not consider Jesus a good religious leader for allowing such a sinful woman to act in this way. Jesus then told a parable about the nature of forgiveness and contrasted Simon’s formal and superficial treatment of Jesus with the woman’s genuine devotion to him. Jesus sent the woman on her way as a beneficiary of forgiveness, salvation, peace, and love. In this narrative, Jesus explained the nature of discipleship, devotion, and confession. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Christ-Centered Confession	Broadly, Christian confession involves acknowledgement of sin, faith in Christ, and loving praise of God. In relation to human sin, confession is an honest acknowledgement of one’s guilt that comes from conviction of sin (7:37, 39, 41–42, 47–48), and confession is an expressed faith in Christ (7:37–38, 44–46, 50). The woman is upheld as an example of a disciple who receives forgiveness of sins in Jesus (7:44, 47–50). Although the woman remained speechless in the biblical narrative, her actions show her confession. Christian confession is an initial way disciples establish their relationship with God and an ongoing practice to deal with sin in the believer’s life. Christian confession can happen individually and corporately.
Faith and Devotion	The foundation of Christian confession is genuine faith (7:50). Genuine faith is devotion to Christ. The woman’s faith was expressed in actions (7:37–38, 44–46). The woman took a submissive role of a servant when she washed Jesus’ feet (7:38). By kissing Jesus’ feet she expressed her affection and attachment to Christ (7:38). When she anointed Jesus’ feet, she declared loyalty and fidelity to Jesus (7:38). The woman’s faith-filled acts of devotion are contrasted with Simon’s skeptical and faithless treatment of Jesus (7:44–46).
God’s Hospitality	Jesus was a guest at Simon’s table (7:36–37, 39); he eventually served as a host to the sinful woman. The hospitality of Jesus is contrasted to the unwelcoming spirit of Simon (7:39, 44–46). God is available, receptive, and hospitable to those who humbly come to him in their brokenness and sin.
Benefits of Confession	Confession brings about forgiveness of sin (7:41–43, 47–49), salvation (7:50), peace (7:50), and love (7:41–43, 47). Those who are forgiven of great debts experience greater love.
Jesus’ Identity	Very important in this passage is Jesus’ true identity (7:39, 43, 48). Simon and the dinner guests wrestle with who Jesus really is. Meanwhile, the sinful woman knows who Jesus is, and she came to him in faith in her desperate and lowly condition.

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Prayer of Confession

In the upcoming week, take time to write out a prayer of confession. In your confession, include aspects that relate to personal sin, God’s glory, and gospel belief. Read your prayer to God in a kneeling position. Find time to share your prayer with a trusted believer in the faith. Then, reflect on the importance of maintaining this practice of confession in your Christian life.

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Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.