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The Parable Of The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
Setting Somewhere in Galilee; late in 2nd year Jesus accepts a dinner invitation to the
home of Simon (a Pharisee) v. 36 During the meal, a “sinful woman”
comes to anoint Jesus vv. 37-38
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
Setting Simon judges both the woman & Jesus
He looks with contempt at the woman He rejects Jesus as a prophet for letting
this “sinner” touch Him v. 39
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Parable A creditor had 2 debtors
One owed 500 denarii…one owed 50
Both could not repay…both forgiven Jesus asked Simon “Which one loved
more?”…he answered correctly
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Parable The debts
Different amounts…yet, both “unpayable”
The creditor Though lawfully due repayment, his
gracious & forgiving nature is emphasized
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Parable The expectations re: both debtors
Realizing their inability to repay… Experiencing the creditor’s forgiveness… Love & appreciation should have been
what characterized them (forgiven debt leaves no room for “smug haughtiness”)
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications The woman had obviously already come
to know about Jesus cp. Mt 11:28-30 This woman was also very aware of her
own sinfulness cp. 1 Tim 1:12-15 She planned to “anoint”…her sense of
guilt moved her to do more vv. 37-38a
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications Simon self-righteously judged her Jesus didn’t even respond to her
Apparently nothing was said while she wept over & anointed His feet
Others must have been staring Perhaps Jesus just kept eating
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications Simon’s failures exposed by the parable
His contempt for a “fellow debtor”(sinners he deemed unfit)
His failure to see (recognize) his own “debt” (sinfulness) 2 Sam 11:4-17, 26-27 12:1-6 Mt 5:3 7:1-6
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications Imagine the room as the woman enters
She “serves” Jesus out of love The first words to break the silence
were not to her…they were to Simon Based on Jesus’ omniscience Jn 2:24-25
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications Jesus compared the woman’s actions to
Simon’s failure to act vv. 44-46 The woman understood herself better
than Simon understood himself She also knew Jesus better than Simon
did v. 47
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications Jesus praises the woman for “seeing”
her sinfulness, her need for God’s mercy & forgiveness v. 47
Her faith saved her v. 50 Simon “loved little” and was therefore
forgiven “little”
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Applications To be “forgiven little” doesn’t mean one
has fewer sins or a “lesser need” for forgiveness
It refers to a lesser awareness of sin and need for mercy & forgiveness
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Lesson The lesson is not…
…we’re all “sinners in debt” to God …who has the biggest debt
The lesson is…do I recognize my sins and my need for God’s forgiveness?
Rom 3:23 6:23 Eph 2:1-5 1:7
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
The Lesson Will I be like the unknown woman?
Will I come to Jesus openly, without regret…no matter what others may think?
Will I be like Simon? Prejudiced toward other “sin debtors?” In denial re: my own sins & need for God?
The Two DebtorsLuke 7:40-43
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