The Parable of the Two Debtors

1
The Parable of the Two Debtors

• Luke 741-43

2
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
  todays parable

3
The Setting

• Luke 736-38
• 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

4
The Setting

• Luke 739-40
• Host wonders if Jesus could be a prophet
• A prophet would know the sins of the woman
• A prophet wouldnt let such a woman touch him
• Knowing his thoughts, Jesus offers to say
  something

5
The Parable

• Luke 741-42a
• A moneylender with 2 debtors
• One owes 500 denarii (20,000)
• One owes 50 denarii (2,000)
• Neither can repay, and both are forgiven

6
The Question and Response

• Luke 742b
• Which of the debtors will love the moneylender
  more?
• Luke 743
• I suppose suggests reluctance to answer
• Perhaps he already sees the point
• But answers correctly

7
Jesus application of the parable

• Luke 744
• 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)

8
Jesus application of the parable

• Luke 745
• 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

9
Jesus application of the parable

• Luke 746
• 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 guests head
  (for superiors)
• She used perfume on His feet
• Perfume was extremely expensive
• Its use on the feet was to say it held no value
  in comparison to the one anointed

10
Questions raised

• Luke 747-50
• 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?

11
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 1813)
• 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

12
When was she forgiven?

• When her faith became active (Jms 217-20)
• Before the cross, already in a covenant
  relationship with God
• All God required was repentance and fruits worthy
  of repentance at this time (Lk 37-14)
• 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

13
What about Simon?

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

14
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 youll show it
• If youre not showing it (like Simon), then you
  havent been forgiven

15
Conclusion

• Questions we 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?

16
(No Transcript)