"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22
"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22

September 7th

PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS (Continued)

 

Scripture Reading: Luke 7: 36-50

 

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

 

     In verse 41 above, Jesus told exactly what each debtor owed. The one with the greater debt owed five hundred pence and the other owed fifty pence. Each debtor owed multiples of the number five which represents grace. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ and none other. The woman with the alabaster box was humble, and it is written that He giveth grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). This point allows one to understand why our Lord taught us to ask for forgiveness of our debts as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12).

 

     Continuing with the parable to Simon, both debtors were unable to pay. The reason is now very clear. Simon judged right that the debtor who owed more would love most, and it will become evident when the sinner woman at the heart of this lesson proves her great love for Jesus. When one is religious and self-sufficient in his view, the spiritual lack is unrealized. Simon loved little. Remember, dear reader, both debtors were forgiven of their debt which speaks to the power of our Gospel and the Supreme grace of God. When all is said and done, it is all about Jesus Christ of Nazareth and His Work of Redemption upon which He announced to our Father in heaven that of all those He was given, He did not lose one but the son of perdition (John 17:12). Glory to God!

 

Continued

 

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