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1994-11-15
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CHAPTER 32
THE TWO DEBTORS
Introduction
The Parable of the Two Debtors is found only in Luke
7:36-50.
The Story
Now one of the Pharisees invited
Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went
to the Pharisee's house and reclined at
the table. When a woman who had lived a
sinful life in that town learned that
Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house,
she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,
and as she stood behind him at his feet
weeping, she began to wet his feet with
her tears. Then she wiped them with her
hair, kissed them and poured perfume on
them.
When the pharisee who had invited
him saw this, he said to himself, "If
this man were a prophet, he would know
who is touching him and what kind of
woman she is--that she is a sinner."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have
something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
"Two men owed money to a certain
moneylender. One owed him five hundred
denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of
them had the money to pay him back, so he
canceled the debts of both. Now which of
them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one
who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly, " Jesus
said.
Then he turned toward the woman and
said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I
came into your house. You did not give
me any water for my feet, but she wet my
feet with her tears and wiped them with
her hair. You did not give me a kiss,
but, this woman, from the time I entered,
has not stopped kissing my feet. You did
not put oil on my head, but she has
poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I
tell you, her many sins have been
forgiven--for she loved much. But he who
has been forgiven little loves little."
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins
are forgiven."
The other guests began to say among
themselves, "Who is this who even
forgives sins?"
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith
has saved you; go in peace." (Luke
7:38-50, New International Version).
The word Simon, a common Jewish name, means "hearing."
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, ostensibly to
hear a rabbi, but possibly to patronize him. (Barclay,
Farrar). Good manners dictated that Simon give Rabbi Jesus
the kiss of peace, wash his feet, and place a drop of attar
of roses on his head (or a pinch of incense could be burned).
Simon did none of this for Jesus. The scene was in Simon's
courtyard. Guests reclined on low couches around a table, on
the left elbow, leaving the right hand free. Guests feet
were away from the table. Since the public could come in
when a rabbi was present, this explains how the woman could
be standing at Jesus' feet. (Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE
SERIES, LUKE, pp. 92 ff.).
It is interesting to note that the word Jesus used for
love was AGAPE, the love of God.
The Interpretation
The characters and symbols of the story and the persons
and things that they represent in reality are:
1. The Moneylender God
2. The 500 denarii Debtor The Woman
3. The 50 denarii Debtor Simon
4. The Debts Sins
The woman indicated her repentance and love for the Lord by
taking a humble servant's position. She was aware of her
easily recognized sins of the flesh. Simon was not aware of
his sins of the spirit.
Actually, all of us are spiritually bankrupt and unable
to pay for our known and unknown sin. This is why Jesus had
to die--to pay for our sin. This is why he was able to
forgive the woman her sins.
Jesus states that she was justified by faith, when he
said to her, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Central Truth
ALL OF US HAVE GRIEVOUSLY SINNED AGAINST GOD.
Conclusion
God loves us in spite of our sin and rebellion against
him. Let us take the Good News of God's love and forgiveness
to all. God will forgive us and justify us when we place our
faith in his Son.
END