here is the link for today’s reading: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=323773788

 

Anointing 7:36-50

There are really two pericopes here, the story of the woman who anoints Jesus, and the parable of the two debtors.  The first part of this passage echoes strongly of passages that appear Matthew 26 and in Mark 14. There are significant differences between Luke’s account and the other two. Most notable is that Luke’s account occurs during Jesus’ Galilean ministry (the other two occur much closer to the resurrection, while they are in Jerusalem). If you have time, it is worth it to compare and contrast the accounts, as they are significantly different.   The parable vaguely echoes a story told in Matthew 18.

But lets focus on Luke.  Jesus is yet again upsetting the Pharisees, this time interacting with a “sinful woman” (we get no more information about her beyond this).  Its important to remember that the laws not only would have ostracized a sinful woman, but for a single man to touch a woman at all was generally considered a law breaking activity.  Jesus really doing something wrong in this instance.

As I read this, the one line that really stood out for me was: “Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little”.  I think the direct tie made between forgiveness and love is powerful.

Also something worth pointing out, although I am not sure of its importance. Christ in greek and Messiah in Hebrew means anointed one.  This account is the first reference to anointing in Luke.

Questions:

  1. What does this passage say about the way the Pharisees judged people? How can this passage influence the way we judge people in our own time?
  2. Have you ever been in the position of the Pharisee?  or the sinful woman?
  3. How might this passage affect you in the comes days and weeks, in what ways does it inspire you to do more?

 

Women Companions of Jesus 8:1-3

There is not a whole lot here, other that the very clear reality that woman were an important part of Jesus’ ministry. But not only that, that woman were fiscally supporting the ministry that was occurring.

Question:

  1. What does this passage say about woman in the church?