The Fascinating Correlation between Debt and Worship

Background:

Dr. Luke list 35 parables, 19 of which are only in the gospel of Luke. This is a tiny parable that is a small teaching moment that is encapsulated by the narrative of the woman that Luke only describes initially as a woman in the city, which was a sinner. He says that she was a known sinner that knew Jesus would be at the house of a Pharisee named Simon.

There are various Simons found throughout the Bible, especially in this particular time, the name Simon was incredibly popular. The Bible also speaks of other Simons. The disciple Simon Peter, Simon, the Tanner, Simon, the leper, Simon Magnus, Simon, the zealot, Simon, the father of Judas, Simon of Cyrene . Today’s passage includes Simon the Pharisee. The entire story is found in Luke 7:36 through 49. We don’t know very much about this woman other than she was obviously a woman in the city, which leads mini to believe that she had been involved in prostitution. This is not certain, but it seems to be from history and tradition that this was the case.

Luke 7:41-43 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? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

This is not the same story as this found in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 12. The details are different. They contain different times places people. The annoying areas are different as well as the difference of Simon. Even though the events appear similar, they are incorrectly lumped together. A careful check into the text will prove that they are different occurrences. Observations from Luke, chapter 7's brief parable:

I. Various sense carry various consequences.

One denerai equaled a days wage for a normal worker. 500 denerai would be well over a year‘s wage for a common worker.

50 denerai would take a few months to fully wage.

John 19:11 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.However, all sin leads ultimately to the same end. Result:

Romans 3:23

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Lots of people thought I was a fool for going into debt because I overspent on therapy sessions. But, at least now, I'm laughing all the way to the bank!

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. A second observation, a recognition of the riches of the mercy of God should lead to a rich and beautiful worship of God notice versus 41-49.

Luke 7:41-45 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? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 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.

3. When you have lost all your shame, it becomes easier to be shameless in your worship of Christ.

Luke 7:46-47 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. Tears rained down, kisses the same word that she used of the father to the prodigal son, as he showered him with kisses tears rain down. The Greek word used to describe the action of the tears is a continual reign down. This is from true joy, and or true brokenness. Psalms 95:1-11 1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.