November 1, 2015
Morning Service

Luke 7:36-50

 

            We have just finished the Sermon on the Mount.  We saw how the Lord magnified the teachings of the law.  Jesus was very clear, and concise on what His expectations were.  We found them easy to understand, but sometimes very difficult to perform.  It reminds us that we cannot be saved by our works, but gives us goals to shoot for.  We are saved, by grace, through faith.  Jesus said, “take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”  In another place He said, “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”  “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man can come to the Father except by Me.”  God has given mankind a perfect plan of salvation.  Nothing we can do, but accept.  Jesus paid it all, and doesn’t ask us to die for Him, but to live for Him.  Die if we must, but live according to His grace, and mercy.

            This morning we want to begin a study on the Lord’s parables.  We will use the Gospel of Luke for our base book, but will mention if given in other Gospels.  We will see how they impacted the Apostles, and His followers, and more of what He would like to see from His followers.  This statement is made, and we will remind often of it’s significance in our studies.

 

The disciples ask Jesus “why do you speak to them in parables.”

Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

 

The first one we come too is the ( two debtors ).  Chapter seven.  Found only in this Gospel.

Luk 7:40-42  And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.  (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?

 

Now to lay the foundation of what has prompted Jesus to give this parable let us look back at what had just happened:

Luk 7:36-40  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.  (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.  (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. 

 

And even before this they had called Him a gluttonous man, and wine bibber, and now He has entered the house of a Pharisee, who was not very pleased with His actions.

 

So, we see a woman, who was a known sinner in the city, come with an costly ointment, and anoint Jesus’s feet with the oil, and with her tears.  The Pharisee in critical judgmental attitude says, “if He was prophet He would know that this woman is a sinner.”  Prompting Jesus to say this to him, “Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

 

 

Now, this prompts Jesus to say this parable:

(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?

The Pharisee answers, “ I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”  Jesus said, “you have rightly said.” 

This was not a difficult parable at all, but notice the Lord’s reply;

Luk 7:44-47  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.

 

We see a contrast of two different attitudes;  one of humility, and another of arrogance and pride.

·         The woman, a known person who practiced sin, probably from her youth up, was wanting a touch from the Master.  She was hoping for a new start in life, and forgiveness of her past life.  She came to Jesus broken hearted, repenting of her past sins, and offering all she had for His acceptance of her.  He rewarded her with forgiveness, and hope.

·         The Pharisee, one who was probably raised in a respectable family, joined to the synagogue, or what we would consider today, raised in the church, had very few sins in his life.  Nothing compared to what this poor woman had experienced.  He never really felt the need to seek a heart felt repentance.  He was doing all the things that the law required of it’s subjects.  He felt comfortable in his walk with God.

However, Jesus tells him a truism, “he who has much forgiven will love much.”

 

You see, the invitation is “for whosoever will let him come and drink from the waters of life freely.”

 

Salvation is for whoever wants it.  Everyone needs to recognize that the Bible tells us we are all sinners, and we need a Savior.  There is a Gospel to be obeyed.

 

A changed life is for whoever wants it.  This also comes from an acknowledgement that we want something better in life, than where we are now.  The plan of salvation gives us this deliverance from a life of chaos, and ruin, to a life filled with wonderful expectations.

 

Our God is a God of deliverance.  Just as He delivered the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt, He will deliver you from whatever bondage you have.  His plan of salvation delivers us from a world of destruction, to a life filled with love, and promise.  It’s there for whosoever wants it.  If this need is in your life, don’t let pride, and satan rob you of the most important decision you will ever make.  Step out, and let the Lord know that you want to accept His plan for a new life.

 

Our woman, described as a sinner, came humbly, in tears to the Lord, and He sent her away with these words: “Thy sins are forgiven.”  “Thy faith has saved thee, go in peace.” 

He will say the same thing to you, if you only ask.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF STRIVING FOR A LIFE OF HUMILITY, AND LOVE.  HELP US TO BE THAT GOOD AN FAITHFUL SERVANT IN YOUR KINGDOM.   AMEN.