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LISTEN | Interview with Irwyn Ince on a biblical vision of justice
gathering question:
Tim Keller said, “Justice is the sign that you have been justified by faith.” What did he mean by this?
TRUTH
In Scripture
Throughout the Bible, sight and judgment are connected (e.g. And God saw that it was good). Luke uses this story in 7:36–50 to illustrate this connection. The story is about Jesus’ encounter with two people: Simon and a woman at a hosted party. All cultures have certain customs of hospitality. In Jesus’ day, three rituals were common: 1) a kiss of greeting, 2) washing of feet, and 3) anointing with oil. Let’s see how this plays out.
Take 5 minutes to read Luke 7:36–50 twice; once to yourself and once aloud together.
Take 10 minutes to answer these questions:
Discuss the differences between how Simon and the woman responded to Jesus. Discuss the differences between how Jesus responded to Simon and the woman.
Both Simon (v. 39) and Jesus (v. 44) question each other’s ability to see or evaluate properly. Making assumptions from the text, what hinders Simon’s sight?
This woman was notoriously bad (v. 39) and probably a prostitute (v. 37). How did forgiveness turn her “tools of the trade” into instruments of love?
In Summary
Simon saw himself as a good person and the woman as a bad person. This hindered his ability to see himself, the woman, or Jesus properly. Simon was conscious of no need and therefore received no forgiveness and felt no love. The woman was conscious of her burning need, received forgiveness, and was overwhelmed with love for the One who could supply it. She used her hair, perfume, eyes, and lips to intimately and affectionately display her love for Jesus.
EQUIPPING
These equipping questions are meant to help you work the truth out of the text and into your lives. Take 25 minutes to discuss these questions.
We must understand carefully the words “for she loved much” (v. 47). What is the relationship between forgiveness (vv. 47-48 ), faith (v. 50), and love (vv. 42; 47)?
If “justice is what love looks like in public” (Cornel West), then why is it important for Christians to maintain an ongoing awareness of the greatness of our own debt and the greatness of Jesus’ forgiveness? How might we do this?
How does this story give us a uniquely Christian motive for love of God and neighbor?
In Summary
Radical forgiveness frees us for radical love. According to his parable (vv. 41-42) and his later words (v. 50), Jesus is saying that the woman’s love is proof that she had already been forgiven. It was her response to God’s grace. He explicitly says, “Your faith has saved you.” Costly love for God and neighbor is the authentic outcome, not the cause, of being forgiven much.
ACCOUNTABILITY
These questions can be helpful for you to examine your life and ministry in light of the truths you explored this week. Take 15 minutes to discuss these questions:
The parable of the two debtors (vv. 41-42) is the center and pivot of this whole story. It shows a cause and effect between a felt need for forgiveness and a felt sense of love. What did it cost Jesus to forgive you? How do you understand the cost? What are the implications of this for a regular practice of confession and repentance?
Where does a sense of superiority show up in your own heart? How do you find yourself comparing, judging, or criticizing others?
Consider how full and free Jesus’ forgiveness is. Jesus even loves Simon in this story. Bring your lack of love and your sense of superiority to Jesus knowing that he delights to show mercy. Tell him how great your debt is and let him forgive it entirely. Only now that you’ve been forgiven much, love much.
MISSION
The goal of the Mission section is so that Truth, Equipping, Accountability, and Supplication are transformed into a missional life, that is, following Jesus moment-by-moment in all of life. Take 5 minutes to plan for this:
Simon failed to show hospitality to Jesus. The word “house” occurs three times in the passage but who was the real host? The woman did what Simon failed to do. She made up for Simon’s failures. She covered his debt. Love for Jesus motivates us to love our neighbors well.
How have you practiced hospitality toward an outsider, the poor, or someone unlikely to pay you back in the past month?
What is a next step towards an outsider you can take to hospitably welcome them into your life?
SUPPLICATION
Remember the Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). Close by spending 10 minutes praying God’s words back to Him from the Psalms.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.