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The Parable Of The Two Debtors Luke 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 The Two Debtors Luke 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 Himv. 39 The Two Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 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 a The Two Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 7:40-43

The Applications  Simon’s failures exposed by the parable Ê His contempt for a “fellow debtor” (sinners he deemed unfit) Ë His failure to see (recognize) his own “debt” (sinfulness) 2 Sam 11:4-17, :1-6 Mt 5:3 7:1-6 The Two Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 7:40-43

The Applications  Jesus compared the woman’s actions to Simon’s failure to act vv  The woman understood herself better than Simon understood himself  She also knew Jesus better than Simon did v. 47 The Two Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 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 Debtors Luke 7:40-43

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