Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the
Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And a woman in the town who
was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s
house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume and stood behind him at his
feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet
with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume. When the
Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if he
were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is
touching him — she’s a sinner!” —Luke 7:36-39
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” —Brené Brown
Vulnerability leads to
“…found out that Jesus was reclining at the table…” —Luke 7:37
Our desire to be near Jesus must override the
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9
Our response to vulnerability says a great deal about
“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ’This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him — she’s a sinner!’” —Luke 7:39
“I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” —Luke 7:44-48
“Turning to the woman, he said to Simon,“Do you see this woman? —Luke 7:44
Seeing people
For further study:
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 John 1:5-10; Matthew 26:39-42
Resources: “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown
Community Group Guide:
How difficult is it to be vulnerable? Why?
Is it easy for you to see Jesus as a safe place to be vulnerable?
Would seeing people through Jesus help you be a safer place for those seeking to be vulnerable?
How has vulnerability led to wholistic growth in your life?
To prepare for next week: Unified; The Work of the Cross - Galatians 6:28