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

September 8th

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.

 

     Jesus used the woman’s acts of humility as an astonishing object lesson for Simon. Simon gave Jesus no water to wash His Feet, no kiss, and did not anoint His Head with oil. Remember, Simon represents the religious system as a whole and his attitude is a microcosm of the true state of most of the church and its religious form and fashion in this present day.

 

     Three actions that represented common courtesy for any guest in those days and in that culture were not even afforded the Lord of glory by this Pharisee. By taking each action separately with focus on what the woman did instead of what Simon did not do, great light will flood one’s understanding if heeded. Be strengthened in the inner man.

 

     Let us begin with her washing Jesus’ Feet with her tears and drying Them with her hair. Tears usually indicate godly sorrow. Her tears were so abundant they were enough to wash His Feet! In doing so, she mirrored Him. She set Him apart from the others and cleansed His Feet with the water of her tears. The love out of the pureness of her heart made her tears tantamount to the Word. She gave her all to Him which was a perfect mirror of Ephesians 5:26-27 which reads, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." Jesus was not just an ordinary or insignificant guest as Simon’s attitude toward Him reflected. The woman honored Him as she sanctified Him or set Him apart in the midst of religiosity!

 

Continued

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