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The Parable of the Merciful Creditor
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? -- Luke 7:41-42
Jesus told the parable of the merciful creditor as he was having dinner with Simon, a Pharisee.
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.” -- Luke 7:37-40
Notice here, that Simon is saying this to himself; presumably not aloud, yet Jesus knew his heart and responded to him, using the parabolic form of teaching.
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 to 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.” -- Luke 7:43-47
All men are debtors to God
- Blessings from God
- Stewards of God’s mercy
- Life
- Health
- Time
- Food
- Reason
- Give little in return
- Neglect
- Ingratitude
- Disregard
- Disobedience
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