How Jesus Explained It

Forgiveness

Luke 7:39 – 50

39When 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."

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.

41"Two men owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into 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. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven— for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

While dining with a Pharisee, Jesus was visited by a woman of questionable morals. He used the opportunity to tell a story that illustrates the meaning of forgiveness.

1.    The failure that needs forgiveness

a.    We are in God’s debt

b.    We are responsible for our debt

c.    We have incurred various degrees of debt (v.41)

41"Two men owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

d.    We are incapable of repaying our debt (v.42)

42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

e.    Sin is the nature of our debt (v.48)

48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

f.     Judgement is the result of our debt

g.    Forgiveness is our only hope

2.    The faith that receives forgiveness

a.    Only God can forgive sins (v.49)

49The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

b.    Only the forgiver can assume the debt

c.    Only the debtor can acknowledge the debt

d.    Only faith can accept the cancellation of debt

3.    The freedom that follows forgiveness

a.    Freedom from fear (v.50)

50Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

b.    Freedom from self-consciousness

c.    Freedom to love unreservedly

d.    Freedom to forgive