Receive Grace Series

Introduction

Good morning, Church.

Let me begin by doing what I often do: asking a question.

Have you ever carried with you something from your past—something you wish you could erase?

A choice, a mistake, a word spoken, a betrayal, a moment of weakness—something that still catches you off guard, still brings a pang of regret.

Most of us have.

Maybe you’ve tried to bury it. Maybe you’ve tried to ignore it. Maybe you’ve tried to make up for it. But still, the memory lingers. It’s like a guest that shows up uninvited.

Today we’re going to talk about grace—the kind of grace Jesus offers. The kind of grace that doesn’t pretend the past didn’t happen, but says, “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.”

We’ll lean on a story in Luke 7. And I want us to see how powerful grace is, how it transforms shame, and how it calls each of us to respond.

The Dinner Party (Luke 7:36–38)

So here’s the scene: Jesus is invited to dinner at the home of a religious leader named Simon. While they’re eating, in walks a woman everyone in town knew. And not for good reasons. Scripture says she had lived a sinful life.

Now, imagine how awkward that moment was. All eyes turned to her. She’s carrying a jar of perfume worth about a year’s wages. And she kneels down at Jesus’ feet—crying, washing His feet with her tears, pouring out that perfume.

Let me ask you: What do you think people were whispering under their breath?

Some saw only her past. But Jesus saw her heart.

Reading the Story (Luke 7:36-50)

Let’s read together Luke 7:36-50. This is the story of a dinner, a woman known for a sinful life, a Pharisee named Simon, and a moment of lavish love and forgiveness.

Part 1: The Setting and the Woman’s Act (vv. 36-38)

Jesus has been invited to dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house. Picture the scene: A home that outwardly appears respectable. Religious observances. Rules. Rituals. But inwardly, not always so pure.

Then in walks a woman—someone known in town for her lifestyle. Everyone recognizes her. The whisper starts.

She’s carrying a jar of expensive perfume. Think a year’s wages. And she goes straight to Jesus. She kneels, tears falling, wiping His feet with her hair, pouring out the perfume.

That’s bold. That’s messy. That’s vulnerable.

Let me stop and ask you—what would have been going through her head walking into that house? She knew the stares she’d get. She knew what people thought of her.

But she also knew what Jesus had already given her: forgiveness. Freedom. Hope.

• So she pushed through the shame

• She doesn’t just shake hands.

• She doesn’t just bow.

• She kneels at Jesus’ feet, weeping, washing His feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing them, anointing them with perfume.

Can you imagine the cost? The audacity? The humility? The shame she must have felt. And yet, she does what she can to love Jesus. She humbled herself. She poured out costly fragrance. She stood exposed.

Pause with me: What would it cost you to do that? To show up, with all your shame and guilt, and lavish love on Jesus anyway?

Part 2: Simon’s Judgment and Jesus’ Story (vv. 39-43)

Simon is watching. Not speaking, but judging, he THINKS to himself. “If this man were a prophet, He’d know who this woman is. She’s a sinner!”

But Jesus knows what Simon’s thinking. He tells a story: Two people owed money. One a large debt. One a small debt. Both debts forgiven. Then: who would love more? Simon answers wisely: the one forgiven more.

Jesus isn’t just teaching about money. He’s teaching about forgiveness. I think it’s often easier for us to think of a cancelled monetary debt than a cancelled spiritual debt.

He’s showing that the greater the debt forgiven, the more love can flow. The more we realize what Jesus has done for us, the more love naturally overflows out of us. And often, the person who perceives themselves as least deserving of forgiveness shows the greatest love.

Part 3: Jesus Flips the Script (vv. 44-50)

Simon’s actions—or lack of them—are contrasted with the woman’s sacrifice.

• Simon didn’t offer water for Jesus’ feet.

• He didn’t greet Him with the customary kiss.

• He didn’t anoint His head with oil. –an action that showed great honor to the guest and had cooling feeling that would help the guest feel refreshed.

Yet the woman did far more than the expected courtesies. She gave what she had. She gave extravagantly.

Then Jesus looks at her and says words that change everything: “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Not: “Go in shame.” Not: “You must do more.” But: “You are forgiven. Go. Peace.”