Why do you think the woman in the story needed Jesus to advocate for her?
Getting Started
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly, ”Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:38–50
Resources
- Bible
Background Information
What do you think of when you think of advocacy? What images come to mind? Do you see someone pleading a cause? Do you see people with picket signs? Do you connect advocacy with certain kinds of actions? What attitude should an advocate have? What is the goal of advocacy? Advocating for others can be challenging at times and can require skill and wisdom.
In the story told in this week’s scripture reading, Jesus advocates for a woman who “lived a sinful life” and was seen by the elite as unworthy of being in his presence. In responding to the offended leader, Jesus manages to advocate for the woman and challenge perceptions while remaining respectful, humble and loving toward both parties.
Instructions
- Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following discussion questions,
- Why do you think the woman in the story needed Jesus to advocate for her? In what ways was she already advocating for herself?
- What was the Pharisee, Simon’s, attitude toward the woman? Why do you think he had this attitude? What was his attitude toward Jesus and what does it say about his perspective on the world or how things are supposed to work?
- Why do you think Jesus chooses to tell Simon a story as a way of advocating for the woman? What was the goal of His advocacy? How do you think the story He tells could have been helpful both for Simon and the woman?
- After Jesus tells the story and receives an answer, He further explains the point. What is the point He is making? How is making this point helpful from an advocacy point of view? How will it help the woman in the long run if she believes it? How will it help Simon to change if he takes this message to heart? Why?
- What can you take away from this passage that will help you to be a more effective advocate? Describe one strategy you might use based on what you have learned.
our postings should also:
- Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.
- Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
- Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion.
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