How Much Do You Owe?

Jesus tells a parable of two debtors in Luke 7.  As a matter of fact Luke is the only one who tells this one.  Jesus tells the actual parable in verses 41-43.  "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."  We can all probably see the simplicity of this parable.  Whoever is forgiven the most would be the most grateful, right?  That’s an open and shut case, a slam dunk we might say, but let’s dig a little deeper. 

First of all, the scene takes place at Simon the Pharisee’s house who had invited Jesus for a meal.  Just a few minutes before Jesus had been blasting the Pharisees again for their hypocrisy.  Why he invited Jesus at all is a mystery, but the way he treated Jesus was inexcusable.  Jesus uses this parable to show him. 

Let’s go back a little and look at what love an unknown woman shows Jesus.  Luke begins the scene in verse 37.  “And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.”  She honored Jesus, sensing His importance, if not Deity, even though this would have been improper behavior.  She had the courage to step out, because she knew her life and that she had much to be forgiven.  She washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  Something Simon hadn’t even done with water and a towel.

Simon apparently knew this woman as well; he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."

Now Jesus tells the parable and then explains in verses 44-50.  “Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"  And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." 

We are like the “certain immoral woman” (NLT) who has been forgiven much.  We have received so much grace; at least I know I have.  Do we show Jesus the same love the woman did?  How much do you owe?  Are we willing to step out in faith to do something we know needs to be done for the Lord?  Do we who have been forgiven so much show Jesus much love?  If not, why not?

God Bless!