Mercy Over Judgment: Conversations with Shannon Popkin Episode 5 – Simon: Who Really Needs Mercy?
We all know the story of the woman who anointed Jesus’s feet. But what if the story isn’t just about her? In this episode of The Sublime Soiree Podcast, Sue Lindsey and Linda Maynard continue their conversation with author Shannon Popkin about her book Kinda Judgy—and discover that one of the most uncomfortable people at the dinner table may actually be Simon the Pharisee. A woman known as a sinner enters Simon’s home, weeps at Jesus’ feet, and receives something Simon doesn’t realize he needs: mercy. Simon looks at the woman and sees her sin. Jesus looks at the woman and sees her repentance. Then, Jesus encourages Simon to really get the picture. Shannon helps us see that Simon and the woman are both debtors. Their debts may look different, but neither one of them can pay. The woman recognizes her need for mercy. Simon doesn’t. And here’s where the story gets uncomfortable for us: How often do we recognize someone else’s sin while remaining blind to our own?
In This Episode:
- Why the dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house is one of the most uncomfortable dinner parties in Scripture.
- What Jesus’s response to the sinful woman reveals about mercy and repentance.
- Why Simon and the woman are both debtors who need God’s forgiveness.
- How our judgment of others can reveal a Pharisee heart within us.
- Why judgment can make us spiritually blind to our own sin.
- What happens when we assume we know someone’s heart by their appearance or reputation.
- How we can hold firmly to biblical truth while extending genuine mercy.
- Why repentance changes how we should respond to someone who has sinned.
- The danger of continuing to label people by their past even after they have repented.
- What Jesus might lovingly challenge in our churches today.
- How our homes, churches, and communities can become places where people experience the welcome and mercy of Jesus.
Reflection Questions
As you finish this episode, consider these questions:
- Who do I most easily identify with in this story—the woman or Simon?
- Who have I placed into a category because of their past, choices, appearance, or reputation?
- Am I more aware of other people’s sin than I am of my own?
- Where might judgment be making me spiritually blind?
- Do I sometimes believe that someone else is a different “sort” of sinner than I am?
- Do people experience my church, home, or small group as a place of judgment—or a place where they can encounter the mercy of Jesus?
- What might Jesus lovingly challenge in my own heart?
If this episode encouraged you:
- Follow The Sublime Soiree Podcast so you don’t miss the rest of this eight-part series.
- Share this episode with a friend who desires to grow in both truth and grace.
- Leave a rating and review to help more women discover biblical encouragement and authentic conversations.
- Visit You’re Invited Ministries here for information on Shannon Popkin. You also can download some of her free tools here. And visit our full website to learn about our book, speaking events, blog articles, and additional resources to help you grow in your walk with Christ.
