Luke 7-Sinful woman

[Tracy Bieger]

That title about sums it up for me! I almost get the feeling Simon is trying to trick Jesus here, anyone else? Also, wondering if anyone knows if this is Mary Magdalene? She is referenced in Luke 8:2 by name, but I can't really find anything indicating if this is her first actual meeting with Jesus.
Whoever it is, it is quite the display of love for Jesus. I'm trying to "put myself" in the story, like Pastor Phil is asking people to do in his Monday bible study, and I'm totally this sinful woman, but would I have done what she does? Loving with total abandon? Would you?

[Rob McNair]

I think part of it is that it is very hard to understand the context of the ancient world versus today. Back then the consequences of sinning were much more severe. You break one law and bam! You could be stoned to death. Today we sin and really there is no consequence. I think in some respects we have grown complacent with our sin and really don't feel a strong need for forgiveness. Obviously this lady felt differently and went to extraordinary lengths to seek out forgiveness.

[Amber Kalina]

It's kinda weird to think about it. Would you go up to someone you didn't know, only heard about, and cry at their feet and wash them with your hair. I know that James can't really wipe Jesus feet with his hair cause...

I don't know. I don't think I could, or would've. I have no clue how this woman was feeling. So... I think my answer would have to be no. I wish with all of my heart that I could answer yes, but for now I know that it is not so, and I will not lie to make myself look good.

[Rob McNair]

Makes me think to how conservative we are in our faith today, we really aren't willing or don't actively seek out ways to take risks in our faith. Tomorrow I am teaching about prayer at confirmation and if we look at the life of Jesus it becomes painfully obvious what slackers we are at praying. We read Jesus going off in solitude to pray alone at least 5 times in the gospels (Matthew 14:23 / Mark 1:35 / Mark 6:46 / Luke 5:16 / Luke 9:18). We read about him praying all night (Luke 6:12). We read about him throwing himself down on the ground in prayer (Matthew 26:39). We read about him sweating while praying (Luke 22:44). And this is Jesus! I mean if he is this active in his prayer life, then what does that mean for you and I? It seems our dedication to our faith and engaging in these spiritual activities suffers as we get busier and busier. And I thought technology was going to save us time?

[Amber Kalina]

:/ Too bad there isn't a computer chip to install in our brains to make us be good Christains... Just kidding. I would never want that. I guess the best we can do is try. Maybe add something to the dayly schedual (it can be short at first) that will make us see God in what we are doing. Like the 4:24 thing. Just a minute it is asking for us to set aside for prayer. Then, that time will eventually increase as we find more to pray about... I know I'm probably the slackerist of the slackers when it comes to doing things like that. I'll last maybe two days in any given thing that I try to schedual in.