Parable: A Creditor forgives two debts, one small, another big; who loves him most?

1. We have three kinds of People, in this context.

Let us study this parable in its context. These people are the three kinds of Christians in our churches. First one is: the regular church going Christians, they are 90% of the church; and "they that sat at meat with him" in verse 49. The number two is: "one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him," who is in verse 36. He invited Jesus and his disciples, and gave them feast. We compare them to those, who love Christ and spent their substance to preachers and to churches in the name of Jesus. These could be about 4%. They desire the blessings of God in this world, but do not have the vision of heavenly kingdom. Number three is: like the woman who "brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and so on" as in verses 37&38. They have repented for their sins, and poured out their fragrance of their holy righteous life, on his feet, for his glory. These may be about 1%. They will inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.

Christians are part of our churches for various reasons. Most of us are in church because Christianity is a better religion. Some love Jesus Christ because he is our God. Some of us love him mostly because of our sympathy and compassion towards the man Jesus, who took the cross for us, and died a cruel death. Further, Jesus Christ will listen to our prayers, help us in our needs and in our trouble.

But very few of us love Jesus Christ because we know him intimately. For us, he is our life; we feel his presence in us; he gives us strength, spirit and grace; and he will give us inheritance in his kingdom, and it is real. Every Christian loves Jesus; but the degree of our love is different. Let us study this parable to find, how much do we love him. Do we love him as the generous Pharisee, or do we love him as the woman in the city, or, are we like those who were at the feast? Let us find it for ourselves; how much do we love him from this parable.

2. Are you a Generous Pharisee or like the Woman.

"Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat." At that time, Jesus was a young man, considered to be a prophet or even could be the messiah. A Pharisee had admiration or some kind of respect towards him, wants to give him a feast and to eat with him. It may be considered as a kind jester. "37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." From the way she is addressed, we may assume that she is a sinner, probably an adulterous woman. It is not told how did she came to know about Jesus. She was broken hearted, repented of her sins, and held Jesus with uttermost high respect. Alabaster is a well-known ointment, that was very costly and famous that brings very rich fragrance. (It is a parable, and so, it is in figure of speech.) [This preceded sentence is an error. This is not the parable that he told, but it was the context, which did happen. At present, Jesus is not a man, we cannot wash his feet. So, how do we do it now.] In the new testament, alabaster bottle (by the revelation that I have) is our own body, and the ointment that is poured out is our own holy living that we live for Jesus Christ. The generous Pharisee, refers to dedicated Christians in the new testament, who will spent their substance for the cause of Jesus Christ. He has cordial love towards Jesus. But the woman is the one, who loved him to the extent that she pours out her life on his feet. Who are you among these two?

3. Jesus discerns the thought of the Pharisee.

"39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner." This Pharisee was wondering that she being a sinner, and Jesus being a prophet, how come he did not discern what kind of woman she was. But she was a repented sinner, (repented sinner is not a sinner), who was converted. The Pharisee did not know this. Even though some Christians, though they are good natured and generous, they have never experienced the true repentance and how will it convert a sinner to be a saint. They have gone through ceremonial repentance, and think that they are better than others. But Jesus will not count that as repentance. "40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on." Jesus having discerned his thoughts, begins to reply him. This is the parable of the Creditor. Jesus presented two debtors and asked him, which of the debtors love the creditor most?

4. Rewards for Cordial Love and Sacrificial Love.

"41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?" Please notice, it is a parable and so, it is in figure of speech. Here, both are forgiven of their debts; one is for smaller amount, and the other is for large amount. "43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged." Now Jesus explains the difference between cordial love toward God and sacrificial love toward God. As you study these verses, please look carefully to see, what kind of love you have towards God. "44 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 hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 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." It is a parable. So, forgiveness of fifty pence and five hundred pence, are two different levels. One is the forgiveness to benefit in this world; example; it is for our healings, jobs, rectify family problems, and such matters. Other is to inherit heaven. Jesus Christ turns us away from sins, and washes all our unrighteousness by his blood, and this forgiveness will qualify our inheritance in the kingdom of God in heaven.

5. Most of us receive blessings; Few by faith inherit heaven.

"48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." We have seen the two levels of forgiveness and the two levels of rewards. Now, Jesus Christ tells the woman that she was saved by her faith. Do you see two things here? One is saved, and the other is faith. What is saved and what is faith? Saved is that she was saved from her sins; previously she was committing sins, and she will not sin anymore, by the power of God. So, she will inherit the kingdom of heaven. What is faith? "Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 1 Peter 1:21 says, (God the Father) raised (Jesus) from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." So, the true faith is the faith that we must have in God the Father, and how will he raise his beloved people as he has raised Jesus Christ from his death; and to believe that God will do whatever he has promised to do. It is not faith to think that God will do whatever we think that he should do, and God may not do them. All such faiths are counterfeit. Now, there are so many kinds of faith preachers. Do not trust them, but have faith in God. One more thing. In verse 49, Jesus talks about many people who sat at the feast. They are regular active participants in churches, who have no clue about the two different kinds of forgiveness of Jesus Christ. One is, he just forgives; and the other is by his blood, cleansing all unrighteousness, which will qualify for eternal life. It is sad, if we do not know this. Attending church is like eating at the feast, which means nothing to God. Have faith in God, trust him in all things, love him reverentially, and give yourself to God. Then, you will inherit his kingdom. Do you desire the blessings of God in this world; Or, do you desire to inherit heaven and to be with God for ever?