The Parable of the Two Debtors

Luke 7:41-43

Introduction

• Do you appreciate what Jesus has done for you?– Does your service to Jesus demonstrate the

extent of your appreciation?– If you are slack, what does that indicate?– If you wish you could do more, what would

motivate you to do more?

• Answers to these questions can be found in today’s parable

The Setting

• Luke 7:36-38– Jesus accepts an invitation to dine with a

Pharisee named Simon– A woman who was a “sinner” (immoral) comes• Stands behind Jesus and weeps

• Washes His feet with her tears

• Wipes His feet with her hair

• Kisses His feet

• Anoints His feet with perfume

The Setting

• Luke 7:39-40– Host wonders if Jesus could be a prophet• A prophet would know the sins of the woman

• A prophet wouldn’t let such a woman touch him

– Knowing his thoughts, Jesus offers to say something

The Parable

• Luke 7:41-42a– A moneylender with 2 debtors• One owes 500 denarii ($30,000)

• One owes 50 denarii ($3,000)

– Neither can repay, and both are forgiven

The Question and Response

• Luke 7:42b–Which of the debtors will love the moneylender

more?

• Luke 7:43– “I suppose” – suggests reluctance to answer• Perhaps he already sees the point

– But answers correctly

Jesus’ application of the parable

• Luke 7:44– Simon gave Jesus no water for his feet• Custom would have demanded a servant

positioned to wash feet for a superior

• A bowl of water, at least, for an equal to make use of

• No water indicated Simon felt Jesus was a social inferior

– She washed and dried His feet with her own tears and hair (she knew He was her superior)

Jesus’ application of the parable

• Luke 7:45– Simon gave Jesus no kiss• Custom dictated a kiss on the cheek for invited

guests

– She had been kissing His feet constantly• A sign of adoration, reserved for Kings and other

extremely exalted individuals

Jesus’ application of the parable

• Luke 7:46– Simon gave Jesus no oil• Custom dictated a small (inexpensive) bottle of

olive oil be placed where the guest could use it (for equals) or to be poured on the guest’s head (for superiors)

– She used perfume on His feet• Perfume was extremely expensive

• It’s use on the feet was to say it held no value in comparison to the one anointed

Questions raised

• Luke 7:47-50–Was she forgiven because she loved much?– Did she love much because she was forgiven?–When was she forgiven?• Before her display of love?

• After Jesus says her sins have been forgiven?

–Why did she come to see Jesus in the first place?

What we know• She came because Jesus was there– She was known to be a sinner

• She was crying and kissing His feet– Signs of repentance– Unwilling even to speak with Jesus (Lk 18:13)

• Anoints His feet with perfume– Further sign of repentance?– Perhaps a sign of joy?

• Jesus says her sins forgiven and her faith saved her– She loved much because she was forgiven

much

When was she forgiven?

• When her faith became active (Jms 2:17-20)– [Before the cross, already in a covenant

relationship with God]– All God required was repentance and fruits

worthy of repentance at this time (Lk 3:7-14)– She had that when she came, humbled herself,

and did what she could

• Jesus said the rest of her actions were because she loved much, having been forgiven much

What about Simon?

• Jesus said he loved little because he was forgiven little– Simon felt he was not very sinful (if any)– Didn’t feel a need to humble himself– Didn’t repent of his actions in life– Therefore, he was not forgiven

Applying the Parable

• No matter how great your sins, you can be forgiven– Be baptized into Christ (if not a Christian)– Repent (if already a Christian)– Then bear fruit, show your love for Christ in

your actions

• If you have been forgiven, then you’ll show it– If you’re not showing it (like Simon), then you

haven’t been forgiven

Conclusion

• Questions posed at the beginning– Do you appreciate what Jesus has done for

you?– Does your service to Jesus demonstrate the

extent of your appreciation?– If you are slack, what does that indicate?– If you wish you could do more, what would

motivate you to do more?

• Do you know the answers now?