Scripture to Read: Luke 7:40–42
Jesus often used illustrations and parables in His teachings to help people better understand what He was teaching them. God had Luke record what Jesus said to the Pharisee in Luke 7:40–42, “And Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he replied, ‘Say it, Teacher.’ 41 ‘A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?’” Jesus gave the Pharisee a great comparison to consider as Jesus laid out an incredible picture of two people who were in debt to the same moneylender. Remember, the Pharisee already thought he was better than the woman whom he called “a sinner,” and he probably thought that if he had any sin, his sin was nothing in God’s eyes compared to hers. Don’t miss the fact that in Jesus’ illustration, both people were in debt; it’s just that one person’s debt was larger than the other’s. Jesus wanted the Pharisee to understand that he too was a sinner in God’s eyes and that his debt must be paid for just like the woman’s debt must be. Every person on the face of the earth is in a deficit to God because we’re born with a sin nature. The only one who could pay off our debt was our Lord Jesus Christ. God had Paul beautifully record this in Colossians 2:13–14. The Pharisee needed to know he was in the presence of the only One who could pay for his sin debt.
Challenge & Application
Why did Jesus lay out the illustration He did for the Pharisee?
How did our Lord reveal to you your sin debt, and how have you daily thanked Him and worshipped Him for what He did for you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!