When we consider a parable like the one that we're going to
consider this morning, we find that we examine ourselves with
reference to the amount of appreciation and the amount of
devotion that we have. For the Lord.
We ask ourselves does our service and Devotion to Jesus
demonstrate the true extent of our appreciation.
If we are slack in our service, What does that indicate?
If we wish that we could be more diligent in our service.
What is it that would help to motivate us to do.
So I believe that the answers to these very timely questions are
found in a parable and it's setting that Jesus taught so
long ago. And on that occasion, we find
that he was invited to eat at the house of a Pharisee.
In studying The Parables of Jesus, let's examine the setting
and the parable itself that has become known as the parable of
the two debtors. We find in this particular
setting that Jesus is going to accept an invitation to eat at a
Pharisees house. You know, there's something at
before this Parable begins that's in common with several of
the other Parables that we already spoke of.
And that is this There were other several occasions when
Jesus would utilize the opportunity to speak.
To those that were in the Pharisees house.
We find that on a number of occasions Pharisees had invited
Jesus over for the purpose of testing him or tempting him.
Very interesting though. In this particular Parable, we
find that this Pharisee does not have at first glance, any type
of ulterior - we have no evidence from the pages of
divine inspiration. In this story that this Pharisee
had an ill heart and wanted to bring Jesus in and discredit him
for all the things that he said that he was and so on and so
forth. What we find though is is a
Pharisee simply asked Jesus if Jesus would come to his house
and have a meal but when Jesus got there are some very
interesting things. Things were about to happen.
You know, when Jesus speaking in Parables, as we've been talking
about for several months now, he always chose the right
opportunity. The perfect time to preach the
perfect sermon Jesus is not like or was not like you and I went
oftentimes we don't know what we're going to speak on and
often times you and I living in the flesh.
Somebody might say something to us and we might be able to come
and discuss. Us that idea with them.
But sometimes we just simply cannot form the words that are
the very best words for that occasion.
But that's not as it was with Jesus every single time.
One of these events transpired before him, Jesus would use the
very perfect lesson for that occasion.
I might say this also about Pharisees.
You remember that Jesus speaks of Pharisees in various parts
Parts of the New Testament in The Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus speaks of a Pharisee as a hypocrite.
Now why would a Pharisee be conveyed as or described as a
hypocrite by Jesus Christ, himself?
After all, who were the Pharisees, who were the
religious sect of the Pharisees that were under the law of
Moses? Well, simply put these were the
men that were the religious Elite of of the day.
That's what a Pharisee was the religious Elite and often times
they placed himself in a superior position over other.
Folks, Jesus said this to he said they're Hypocrites and
don't be like them why? So because Jesus says they say
and do not you know, that's exactly what a hypocrite is a
person that pretends but does not do.
A person that pretends to be something that they never
intended to be one more example though, Pharisees as spoken by
Jesus Jesus. Spoke of pretentious prayer in a
condescending fashion. When Jesus is exalted, the
prayer of a sinner called a public in or a tax collector and
this Pharisee with all of his Pomp and pride, and the
sphericity with all of the good things that he thought he
possessed. Just by all the wonderful
characteristics in his life. Jesus said that lowly sinner.
That tax collector, whose name of his game was extortion.
A man that was known among his peers as a horrible type of
person. When he came before the
almighty, God on that day. He recognized that he was in the
presence of God and when he did, he recognized and realized his
sin He doesn't even look up to heaven.
He smote his breast and says, God be merciful to me a sinner.
That's a very little short prayer as opposed to what Jesus
said. Oftentimes the Pharisees would
pray, they think that they're going to be heard for their much
speaking for their eloquent Manner.
And so on Jesus said the Publican he went away Justified.
You know what the word Justified means?
You remember, we talked about this, it means to have
acquitted. In other words, it is clear.
Your slate is clean and Jesus said that Publican went Away
Justified, the Pharisee with all of his arrogance, with all of
his wonderful characteristics with all of his wonderful
attributes in his life. He went away with his sin, very
interesting as Jesus, describes Pharisees and sinners will on
this occasion. It was one of these Pharisees
that invites Jesus over to have a meal.
We find in Luke chapter, 7, and verse 36.
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him
and he went into the Pharisees house and sat down at meet and
verse 37. At said, we find that the
There's a woman in the city which was a sinner and found out
that Jesus was in the house. You know, I believe with all of
my heart, there's nothing that is written in the Bible to take
up space or just to be a coincidence.
I believe this is a wonderful picture of what a sinner needs
to do. When a sinner comes to the
realization in their life that they've been in sin, they have
lived in sin, they no longer want to be in sin, in a
wonderful picture is painted, as Jesus gives this Parable.
What is that? You see, there was a woman, not
the religious Elite, not the Pharisee know.
There was a woman out there. And she was a sinner.
She finds out that Jesus is over at this Pharisees house.
She can't wait to get there. Oh, I would just imagine as I
can picture in my mind's eye, as she very hurriedly.
Got our things together that she might need and headed over to
see Jesus. There is nothing better in all
this world for a sinner to do than to come to Jesus.
I like very much the selection of songs that we had this
morning in our worship service. There is nothing better than
coming to the Lord and I'm going to tell you something, that's
exactly who needs to come to the Lord.
And that's a sinner. This woman knew that this woman
knew that Jesus was special, that Jesus was different.
And so, she came to him, the Bible says that she brings an
alabaster box of ointment and stood at the feet behind him
weeping and began to wash his feet with her tears and wiped
them with her hair and kissed his feet and anointed them with
oil. This is a picture.
Perfect or perfect picture. Of worship in that day, on that
day, she came to honor the Lord. You know, it's very interesting
as we look at the events here, this woman comes in and she
says, nothing according to God's word.
We find no evidence that she said anything to anyone in the
house. She didn't even say anything to
Jesus. She was like, Elijah, when
Elijah was in the, when Isaiah was in the very presence of the
Lord. And we find that He realized his
sin because he was in the very presence of the Lord and he
said, I must die for mine eyes have seen the king.
Well, here comes this woman and she says nothing but she falls
at the feet of Jesus. You know, then we find something
very beautiful. One of the most beautiful
pictures in all of the Bible. She's down at the feet of Jesus
and she's weeping so much. That she takes her own tears and
washes the feet of Jesus. Then she takes her hair and
dries them, she kisses those feet and then she anoints those
feet with that ointment. You know, we're not sure of all
the things that she was guilty of and her life.
I don't know. Let me just say this though.
Here in this passage, it says that she was a sinner.
But very interesting though, the Bible says that all are sinners.
The Bible says, all have sinned and all have come short of the
glory of God. That is a fact.
In fact, the scriptures would teach us that if a man would say
that he does not have sinned. His life.
He is a liar and the truth is not in him.
That is a fact and that we understand.
So you and I understand that anyone that has ever lived in
this whole world except Jesus Christ himself.
He's the only exception is a sinner because we have sin in
our life. There's been times when we've
sinned therefore we must be categorized as a sinner.
But there was a different class of people.
You know, the world classifies sins, but the Lord doesn't.
There was this woman. She was a known sinner.
I don't know. Some Scholars say she might have
been a prostitute. Maybe one who was caught in the
very Act of adultery. We don't know.
We can find that those today would be categorized as
murderers. Maybe those people that do
things that break in and steal from other folks.
See the world wants to classify or categorize, big sins, as
those that are sinners and Else. Well it's not quite so bad.
Very interesting though, all that have sinned and every one
of us is in the same category in the eyes of God.
So Jesus was not saying about this woman that this woman is a
sinner and everybody else is okay.
Oh no he was referring to the fact that she was a known Sinner
and her sin was great. And in the eyes of the world,
she was looked down upon as a sinner.
And she comes and falls at the feet.
Of Jesus. These Sinners were what was
considered to be the outcast of the day.
And so this kind of woman was what she was.
And all of a sudden we find that the Pharisee begins to wonder,
how could this man truly be a prophet?
Because if he was a prophet he would know what kind of woman
this was and he would know the type of woman that is down there
at his feet. Well, here it comes.
Jesus knew just exactly the heart of this man.
He always knew what was perfect to say.
And here it comes. The Bible says he knew his heart
and then he says to this man named Simon, and the Simon was
the Pharisee, not to be confused with Simon Peter, the Apostle.
This Pharisees name is Simon and Jesus, says, Simon.
I have something that I need to tell you.
You know, very interesting. I don't know exactly how it was
going to be received from Simon at the very beginning or what
Simon, the Pharisee thought Jesus was going to tell him, I
have no idea. All we know is this man, Simon
says to Jesus. He says Master say on You know,
that word Masters translated in different forms?
We have. Jesus is our Master.
He is our Lord. He is our King.
He is our Master, absolutely. He is reigning over his kingdom.
He is the king and we are his subjects in serving him in our
obedience. So we call Jesus Master, because
that's what he is to us. This man called him Master as
translated teacher, so this man was not completely submitting to
Jesus. In fact, he doubted whether he
could be a prophet because he if he was, he'd known this woman.
That was that his feet. So he says this master say on
and then in verses 41 and 42, he gives the sermon he said there
was a certain creditor which had two debtors, the one owed five,
hundred Pence and the other 50. And when they had nothing to
pay, he frankly forgave them both.
Tell me therefore, which of them will love him.
Most. So Jesus gives this Parable in
these two short verses of scripture regarding the lesson
that they needed to know. Jesus said there's two people.
And these two people are debtors, they are indebted to a
creditor and we all know what that's like.
We all know what it's like to have a creditor in our life
that's when we as the dinner. Oh the Creditor, what is
rightful and do to him? We go out and we buy a house, we
have a creditor, we go out and buy a car.
If we don't pay cash, we have a creditor, we become indebted to
that creditor and we must pay. If we don't pay, we get in
trouble for that. In fact, it is unscriptural to
have a debt and not pay it. The Bible teaches that we ought
to. Oh no man and in owing, no, man,
that doesn't mean that we cannot have a balance.
It simply means that we had can never step aside from Our
obligation of the terms that we've agreed on.
If I owe somebody ten thousand dollars and they accept a
hundred dollars a month, for the rest of them, whatever it takes,
I have satisfied, my debt to that person.
Sometimes people would say when the Bible says, oh no man, it
means you can't have Have bills or payments and that is not what
the Bible teaches. Well, here's a creditor Jesus
said, and these people could understand and this Pharisee
being among the religious Elite of the day he truly understood
to and Jesus said there was a creditor, he has two debtors
10's, 500 pants one hose. 50 pence.
King James version, says Pence other translations say dinero y.
Which is a plural form of Denarius for what it's worth, as
Darrell said it's free. But here it goes a Denarius I
heard is about 16 cents. I also heard that one Denarius
is a day's labor or a day's wages needless to say, it
matters. Not this is what matters.
There are two debtors and neither can pay.
One has a big debt and one has a small debt and Jesus said, if
this happens and a creditor says too.
These debtors, I know you can't pee.
Your debt is Forgiven. Jesus said, who is going to love
him more? you know, even this old Pharisee
understood, you know, he said I suppose the one for whom he
forgave most, what if me and Ryan went to Bob And he loaned
us some money. Maybe Ryan borrowed fifty
dollars from him. Maybe I needed more, maybe I
borrowed $500 from we both have one thing in common Ryan, and I
are indebted to Bob, he's our creditor But one day we go to
Bob and we say we cannot pay it. Well, I'll tell you, Bob being
the good guy that he is he says okay both of you are forgiven
your debt. Ryan owed, 50 bucks.
I'm going to tell you any time you owe money and you no longer
owe it. It feels good.
So I would just add in that. Ryan's going to feel good about
that. He might even like Bob a little
But I'm a loving. cuz if I can't pay the larger, the debt The
more pressure and stress, it is to pay that debt.
If he forgives me the greater debt.
I'm going to love him more. I hope we know that Jesus was
not talking about money. In this Parable, I hope we can
all see in that, it's very clear.
That Jesus was talking about something else.
Then Jesus began to make a contrast.
First Jesus says Thou Hast answered rightly or correctly
because Simon said, I suppose the one for whom he forgave most
but then Jesus doesn't leave it there.
Jesus now is going to apply. What he has just said, by
comparing the Pharisee to this sinner, this woman in verses 44,
and through 46. It says, 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 has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them
with the hairs of her head. Now, gave us me no kiss.
But this woman since the time I came in hath, not ceased to kiss
my feet, my head with oil, Dowd, it's not annoying, but this
woman hath anointed my feet with Joint meant notice Simon.
You didn't bring any water for my feet.
And by the way, these were customary things that were done
in honor of a guest. It was the rightful thing to do
by way of a host. Jesus said, when I got here you
didn't recognize me with any honor at all as an honored
guest. In fact, he didn't Supply any
water for my feet. You didn't give me a kiss, which
was a greeting form. A respectful greeting form, much
like you. And I Might shake hands with
someone today. You didn't anoint my head with
oil. In fact, this woman has come and
when she did, so she washed my feet.
Not with the water, you provided.
But with her own tears, she dried them with nothing you
provided, but with her own hair and then you didn't give me a
kiss. You didn't greet me as your
guest. But she hasn't stopped kissing
my feet since I got here. You didn't anoint my head, but
she has not stopped anointing my feet with that.
Ointment, that was brought in that Alabaster Box.
Well, Jesus drives the point home in verse 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 at first glance in the King James version, it appears
That is a little bit confusing. Is Jesus saying that her love is
the cause of her forgiveness or is her love, the proof of her
forgiveness is who has she forgiven?
Because she loved much that's what it sounds like or is her
much love the evidence of the Forgiveness of her.
Many sins will go into a different translation.
It renders it this way and I think it's shed some light Light
on the subject, it says it like this.
I tell you, then the great love, she had shown proves that her
many sins have been forgiven. Whoever has been forgiven
little, however, shows only a little love and so, we find that
her much love was the was the reason or the the much love that
she had was the evidence of the Forgiveness of her many sins.
Ins much like the person that appreciate so much more.
Appreciate so much more. The fact that they've been
forgiven a large debt verse 50. Those says, just exactly what
saved her and that was her faith, thy faith.
Hath saved thee, go in peace. Her faith was the cause of her
forgiveness, and her love was the reflection of her faith.
Let me notice with you and Galatians, chapter 5, and verse
number 6, where Paul said for in Jesus Christ, Christ, neither
circumcision availeth. Anything nor uncircumcision but
Faith which worketh by love one more thing along this line, back
to our text. Now in verse 47 in the latter
part of it, it clears it up even further when it says, but to
whom little is Forgiven the same loveth little you know, when
applying this Parable today, this Parable can be a comfort, a
wonderful Comfort to The Sinner. You know what matters?
Not what a person person's past is like It doesn't matter of the
things that you did yesterday. If today, you've taken care of
that It doesn't matter the reputation that you once had
when you lived under a different standard.
This Parable is a beautiful story.
It is a beautiful story that even those that have great sin
in their life. In fact, those that have great
sin in their life will be forgiven first before the other
folks that think they have a little sin in their life and sit
in a condescending fashion Over The Sinner that comes to
repentance. It's all about the heart, Jesus
taught that so many times. Some people, you know, they they
really make a mess of their lives.
I know that and they know it, I'ma tell you something and I
think you'll find this to be true too.
When you've made a mess of your life.
Your guilt sometimes is harder to bear.
Sometimes your guilt is a cute. It's like a brand-new wound.
It's ever opened and it's always before you the sensations from
it continued on and on, and on, and it's painful.
I know. but, you know, when you come to Jesus with that kind of
a past, In all of that guilt, that's from your life is so
acute and hurt so badly. When you come as that song says,
there's room at the foot of the cross for you, when you come to
the feet of Jesus, like this woman did so long ago, you can
bare your soul and pour your heart out.
If you come in obedience to the gospel, come out of the Waters
of baptism, I'll tell you something, every single thing
that happened before is now behind you forever. but, you
know, sometimes when people have a life that is Tainted And it's
sinful. Sometimes they're going to
express their love for the Lord, even greater their appreciation
for him is even greater, they will be motivated for greater
service in their life. You know, the best example, I
can think about in the New Testament is that of the Apostle
Paul here was a man. Listen to what he said about
himself and First Corinthians chapter 15 and verses 9 and 10.
Paul said, for I am the least of the Apostles and I'm not meet to
be called an apostle because I persecuted the Church of God.
But by the grace of God, listen, I am what I am and his grace,
which was bestowed upon me was not in vain.
Why was it not in vain? She going back?
He said, I am the least of the Apostles.
I am not even worthy to be called an apostle.
And by the way, we are talking about a man that was The very
chosen vessel of Jesus Christ himself, a man that had written
by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit over two-thirds of
the New Testament. Scripture a very, very important
man. In the eyes of Jesus Christ.
This was a man that was to Bear the name of Jesus to the
Gentiles and he says this, I am not even Worthy.
To be considered among the other Apostles.
Because I persecuted the Church of God.
But then he says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am and
the mercy and the grace that he showed me.
It was not in vain. Why was it not in vain?
He said this here's the reason, I labored more abundantly than
them. All.
That's why. But then he finishes it like
this as to not put too much credit on himself.
He says yet not I but the grace of God which was with me.
You know, like that old saying by the grace of God?
There go. I Here was a man that realized
his past was horrible. You know, if you think about all
the things that a person can do in this life, all the simple
things of destroying themselves, destroying their body,
destroying their friends, destroying their family and so
on and so forth. I can't think of anything that
was, as bad as Paul, he was diametrically opposed to the
furtherance of the Gospel. He was standing there, fighting
against the furtherance of the Gospel, persecuting the church,
and binding. All those that would call upon
the name of the Lord. Lord when he came to the
realization because Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus
Road, he changed. He said that was by the grace of
God and by that Grace I am what I am.
His grace was not bestowed upon me in a vein fashion and that's
because of this. I labored a i labored harder
than anyone in other words, he was indebted so much that he
worked even harder. Here's the point.
Let me just encourage you this way.
Don't wallow in your guilt. Of sins that have been forgiven.
Don't do that. I know that's hard to do.
Sometimes we feel guilty for things that have long been taken
care of, But that is counterproductive.
It is counterproductive to dwell on the sin that has been
removed. Just be like Paul very humbly,
be like Paul and labor even harder.
The blood of Jesus is what takes away those sins in our life.
When he removes, those sins by his blood, then we move on the
parable reveals how we can increase our love, and Devotion
to Jesus. Remember, the more aware we are
of the Forgiveness of sins and the Forgiveness that we have in
Jesus Christ, the more we will love and serve him.
Listen, there are two ways that one can have a Heightened sense
of forgiveness. Number one is what we've already
talked about, and that's easy to understand a person that is
guilty of a whole lot. When he's forgiven of a whole
lot, you have a heightened value of the Forgiveness of sins.
What about the second one? What about the person that never
feels like he's ever fallen into that category.
What about folks that have been children living in their lives,
with their parents, taking them to the Assemblies of the body of
Christ. Their whole life and then
obeying the gospel and never turned, their back and gone back
into the ways of the world and didn't participate in all of
those immoral acts and things that we have no business
partaking in. How is that kind of a person
going to also have a heightened sense of the importance of
forgiveness? Very, very simple.
Have a better understanding of sin.
When you understand what sin is and the price that was paid for
it. You will have a higher sense or
a heightened sense of the importance of forgiveness.
Well Paul said in Romans 6 and 23 that the wages of sin is
spiritual death which separates one from God Ezekiel.
The eighteenth chapter simply says the soul that sinneth.
It shall die. In Isaiah chapter 59, verses 1
and 2. The Bible says, Says behold
listen to these words Behold, The Lord's hand is not shortened
that it cannot save. Neither his ear heavy.
That it cannot hear listen to this, but your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden
his face from you, that he will not hear you.
God can do it. God's there.
Waiting to save, he's there waiting and ready to forgive.
What type of sin did Isaiah say? That keeps a man from God.
What kind of sin causes God? Did not hear that individual.
What type of sin? Big sins?
Little sins, moral sins? What kind of sins?
You know what? He said, your sin That's the
kind of sin. Your sin.
Whatever that is, there is no degree of sin in this world.
All there is, is sin. And when Jesus died on the
cross, he died for all sins. The more we learn about the
terrible nature of sin. Then the more we will appreciate
the Forgiveness that we have in Jesus Christ.
When we understand that, and when we appreciate that, we will
be motivated to serve him even better in. 2nd Corinthians
chapter 5, and verses 14 and 15. The Apostle Paul said for the
love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that.
If one died for all then we're all dead and that he died for
all that they which live should not henceforth live unto
themselves but unto him which died for them and Rose.
Again. You know, when Jesus went to
Golgotha so long ago? On gothis, brow.
At Mount Calvary. Everything that happened to him.
Everything that he had to go through.
He went through for every man and every sin.
There is no degrees of it. The only thing that'll keep a
person that heaven is sin. That's it Isaiah said, what kind
of sin member that your sin? My sin.
Any sin. I want you to hear these words.
Maybe you've heard this before. I don't know.
Very touching words as written in a poem about what Jesus did.
I think, when we have an understanding of this, we can
better understand just exactly what Jesus did for us and in
doing that will have a greater appreciation. but it says this
in evil long, I took Delight uh, gnawed by shame or fear Till a
new object struck my site and stop my wild career.
I saw one hanging on a tree and agonies and blood.
Who fixed his languid eyes on me as near The Cross.
I stood. Sure, never till my latest
breath. Can I forget that?
Look It seemed to change me with his bread.
His death though, not a word. He spoke my conscience felt and
owned the guilt and plunge me in despair.
I saw my sins, his blood had spilt and help to nail him
there. Alas, I knew not what I did.
But now my tears are vain. Where shall my trembling Soul be
hid for. I the Lord have slain. a second,
look he gave which said I freely offer give This blood is for thy
Ransom paid, I die. That thou me live.
Thus, while his death, my sin displays in all its blackest
Hue, such is the mystery of Grace.
It seals my pardon to, with pleasing grief and mournful Joy.
My spirit now is filled But I should such a life destroy yet
lives by him. I killed my sins put Jesus on
that cross. So did yours, we got to get rid
of those sins, don't we? That's what we have to do.
That's really as simple as that, there's nothing hard about it.
We got to get rid of him. He did something to pave the way
for you and I, but you and I must do something in order to
remove those sins. In our life.
Bible is very clear. We come hearing the word of God
upon hearing. Faith comes by hearing Romans
10:17. Gene and hearing by the word of
God. Jesus would also say he that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
He that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16:15 and 16 Jesus
said I tell you nay but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish. We understand that we need to
make a change in our life. We need to make the
determination. We no longer want to go in the
direction we've gone. I want to serve God and turn my
back on that old devil. And turn my back on a sinful
world. Then we must confess the good
confession, which is simply. I believe that Jesus Christ is
the son of God. And then go down into the Waters
of baptism. Be baptized for the remission of
sins for it is at the point the point of Salvation isn't baptism
all the other steps lead up to it, but it baptism is when
someone finally gets rid of those sins, let me ask you this,
though. What's your devotion and service
to Jesus been like Do you treat him like Simon did?
Is that how you treat Jesus in your life?
Do you invite him over but don't treat him like he deserves.
Have you honored him by your devotion and service to him?
Or are there things that you need the change you know this
Pharisee invited Jesus over but Jesus didn't say one favorable
thing about this fella. He said something about the
woman though her sins, which were many are forgiven.
How is it with you today? Are you not a Christian?
If you're not a Christian, you need to be a Christian and being
a Christian. One must be baptized for the
remission of their sins as we just talked about.
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