The Two Debtors - Frank Brancato 9/11/05

When we consider a parable like the one that we're going to

consider this morning, we find that we examine ourselves with

reference to the amount of appreciation and the amount of

devotion that we have. For the Lord.

We ask ourselves does our service and Devotion to Jesus

demonstrate the true extent of our appreciation.

If we are slack in our service, What does that indicate?

If we wish that we could be more diligent in our service.

What is it that would help to motivate us to do.

So I believe that the answers to these very timely questions are

found in a parable and it's setting that Jesus taught so

long ago. And on that occasion, we find

that he was invited to eat at the house of a Pharisee.

In studying The Parables of Jesus, let's examine the setting

and the parable itself that has become known as the parable of

the two debtors. We find in this particular

setting that Jesus is going to accept an invitation to eat at a

Pharisees house. You know, there's something at

before this Parable begins that's in common with several of

the other Parables that we already spoke of.

And that is this There were other several occasions when

Jesus would utilize the opportunity to speak.

To those that were in the Pharisees house.

We find that on a number of occasions Pharisees had invited

Jesus over for the purpose of testing him or tempting him.

Very interesting though. In this particular Parable, we

find that this Pharisee does not have at first glance, any type

of ulterior - we have no evidence from the pages of

divine inspiration. In this story that this Pharisee

had an ill heart and wanted to bring Jesus in and discredit him

for all the things that he said that he was and so on and so

forth. What we find though is is a

Pharisee simply asked Jesus if Jesus would come to his house

and have a meal but when Jesus got there are some very

interesting things. Things were about to happen.

You know, when Jesus speaking in Parables, as we've been talking

about for several months now, he always chose the right

opportunity. The perfect time to preach the

perfect sermon Jesus is not like or was not like you and I went

oftentimes we don't know what we're going to speak on and

often times you and I living in the flesh.

Somebody might say something to us and we might be able to come

and discuss. Us that idea with them.

But sometimes we just simply cannot form the words that are

the very best words for that occasion.

But that's not as it was with Jesus every single time.

One of these events transpired before him, Jesus would use the

very perfect lesson for that occasion.

I might say this also about Pharisees.

You remember that Jesus speaks of Pharisees in various parts

Parts of the New Testament in The Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus speaks of a Pharisee as a hypocrite.

Now why would a Pharisee be conveyed as or described as a

hypocrite by Jesus Christ, himself?

After all, who were the Pharisees, who were the

religious sect of the Pharisees that were under the law of

Moses? Well, simply put these were the

men that were the religious Elite of of the day.

That's what a Pharisee was the religious Elite and often times

they placed himself in a superior position over other.

Folks, Jesus said this to he said they're Hypocrites and

don't be like them why? So because Jesus says they say

and do not you know, that's exactly what a hypocrite is a

person that pretends but does not do.

A person that pretends to be something that they never

intended to be one more example though, Pharisees as spoken by

Jesus Jesus. Spoke of pretentious prayer in a

condescending fashion. When Jesus is exalted, the

prayer of a sinner called a public in or a tax collector and

this Pharisee with all of his Pomp and pride, and the

sphericity with all of the good things that he thought he

possessed. Just by all the wonderful

characteristics in his life. Jesus said that lowly sinner.

That tax collector, whose name of his game was extortion.

A man that was known among his peers as a horrible type of

person. When he came before the

almighty, God on that day. He recognized that he was in the

presence of God and when he did, he recognized and realized his

sin He doesn't even look up to heaven.

He smote his breast and says, God be merciful to me a sinner.

That's a very little short prayer as opposed to what Jesus

said. Oftentimes the Pharisees would

pray, they think that they're going to be heard for their much

speaking for their eloquent Manner.

And so on Jesus said the Publican he went away Justified.

You know what the word Justified means?

You remember, we talked about this, it means to have

acquitted. In other words, it is clear.

Your slate is clean and Jesus said that Publican went Away

Justified, the Pharisee with all of his arrogance, with all of

his wonderful characteristics with all of his wonderful

attributes in his life. He went away with his sin, very

interesting as Jesus, describes Pharisees and sinners will on

this occasion. It was one of these Pharisees

that invites Jesus over to have a meal.

We find in Luke chapter, 7, and verse 36.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him

and he went into the Pharisees house and sat down at meet and

verse 37. At said, we find that the

There's a woman in the city which was a sinner and found out

that Jesus was in the house. You know, I believe with all of

my heart, there's nothing that is written in the Bible to take

up space or just to be a coincidence.

I believe this is a wonderful picture of what a sinner needs

to do. When a sinner comes to the

realization in their life that they've been in sin, they have

lived in sin, they no longer want to be in sin, in a

wonderful picture is painted, as Jesus gives this Parable.

What is that? You see, there was a woman, not

the religious Elite, not the Pharisee know.

There was a woman out there. And she was a sinner.

She finds out that Jesus is over at this Pharisees house.

She can't wait to get there. Oh, I would just imagine as I

can picture in my mind's eye, as she very hurriedly.

Got our things together that she might need and headed over to

see Jesus. There is nothing better in all

this world for a sinner to do than to come to Jesus.

I like very much the selection of songs that we had this

morning in our worship service. There is nothing better than

coming to the Lord and I'm going to tell you something, that's

exactly who needs to come to the Lord.

And that's a sinner. This woman knew that this woman

knew that Jesus was special, that Jesus was different.

And so, she came to him, the Bible says that she brings an

alabaster box of ointment and stood at the feet behind him

weeping and began to wash his feet with her tears and wiped

them with her hair and kissed his feet and anointed them with

oil. This is a picture.

Perfect or perfect picture. Of worship in that day, on that

day, she came to honor the Lord. You know, it's very interesting

as we look at the events here, this woman comes in and she

says, nothing according to God's word.

We find no evidence that she said anything to anyone in the

house. She didn't even say anything to

Jesus. She was like, Elijah, when

Elijah was in the, when Isaiah was in the very presence of the

Lord. And we find that He realized his

sin because he was in the very presence of the Lord and he

said, I must die for mine eyes have seen the king.

Well, here comes this woman and she says nothing but she falls

at the feet of Jesus. You know, then we find something

very beautiful. One of the most beautiful

pictures in all of the Bible. She's down at the feet of Jesus

and she's weeping so much. That she takes her own tears and

washes the feet of Jesus. Then she takes her hair and

dries them, she kisses those feet and then she anoints those

feet with that ointment. You know, we're not sure of all

the things that she was guilty of and her life.

I don't know. Let me just say this though.

Here in this passage, it says that she was a sinner.

But very interesting though, the Bible says that all are sinners.

The Bible says, all have sinned and all have come short of the

glory of God. That is a fact.

In fact, the scriptures would teach us that if a man would say

that he does not have sinned. His life.

He is a liar and the truth is not in him.

That is a fact and that we understand.

So you and I understand that anyone that has ever lived in

this whole world except Jesus Christ himself.

He's the only exception is a sinner because we have sin in

our life. There's been times when we've

sinned therefore we must be categorized as a sinner.

But there was a different class of people.

You know, the world classifies sins, but the Lord doesn't.

There was this woman. She was a known sinner.

I don't know. Some Scholars say she might have

been a prostitute. Maybe one who was caught in the

very Act of adultery. We don't know.

We can find that those today would be categorized as

murderers. Maybe those people that do

things that break in and steal from other folks.

See the world wants to classify or categorize, big sins, as

those that are sinners and Else. Well it's not quite so bad.

Very interesting though, all that have sinned and every one

of us is in the same category in the eyes of God.

So Jesus was not saying about this woman that this woman is a

sinner and everybody else is okay.

Oh no he was referring to the fact that she was a known Sinner

and her sin was great. And in the eyes of the world,

she was looked down upon as a sinner.

And she comes and falls at the feet.

Of Jesus. These Sinners were what was

considered to be the outcast of the day.

And so this kind of woman was what she was.

And all of a sudden we find that the Pharisee begins to wonder,

how could this man truly be a prophet?

Because if he was a prophet he would know what kind of woman

this was and he would know the type of woman that is down there

at his feet. Well, here it comes.

Jesus knew just exactly the heart of this man.

He always knew what was perfect to say.

And here it comes. The Bible says he knew his heart

and then he says to this man named Simon, and the Simon was

the Pharisee, not to be confused with Simon Peter, the Apostle.

This Pharisees name is Simon and Jesus, says, Simon.

I have something that I need to tell you.

You know, very interesting. I don't know exactly how it was

going to be received from Simon at the very beginning or what

Simon, the Pharisee thought Jesus was going to tell him, I

have no idea. All we know is this man, Simon

says to Jesus. He says Master say on You know,

that word Masters translated in different forms?

We have. Jesus is our Master.

He is our Lord. He is our King.

He is our Master, absolutely. He is reigning over his kingdom.

He is the king and we are his subjects in serving him in our

obedience. So we call Jesus Master, because

that's what he is to us. This man called him Master as

translated teacher, so this man was not completely submitting to

Jesus. In fact, he doubted whether he

could be a prophet because he if he was, he'd known this woman.

That was that his feet. So he says this master say on

and then in verses 41 and 42, he gives the sermon he said there

was a certain creditor which had two debtors, the one owed five,

hundred Pence and the other 50. And when they had nothing to

pay, he frankly forgave them both.

Tell me therefore, which of them will love him.

Most. So Jesus gives this Parable in

these two short verses of scripture regarding the lesson

that they needed to know. Jesus said there's two people.

And these two people are debtors, they are indebted to a

creditor and we all know what that's like.

We all know what it's like to have a creditor in our life

that's when we as the dinner. Oh the Creditor, what is

rightful and do to him? We go out and we buy a house, we

have a creditor, we go out and buy a car.

If we don't pay cash, we have a creditor, we become indebted to

that creditor and we must pay. If we don't pay, we get in

trouble for that. In fact, it is unscriptural to

have a debt and not pay it. The Bible teaches that we ought

to. Oh no man and in owing, no, man,

that doesn't mean that we cannot have a balance.

It simply means that we had can never step aside from Our

obligation of the terms that we've agreed on.

If I owe somebody ten thousand dollars and they accept a

hundred dollars a month, for the rest of them, whatever it takes,

I have satisfied, my debt to that person.

Sometimes people would say when the Bible says, oh no man, it

means you can't have Have bills or payments and that is not what

the Bible teaches. Well, here's a creditor Jesus

said, and these people could understand and this Pharisee

being among the religious Elite of the day he truly understood

to and Jesus said there was a creditor, he has two debtors

10's, 500 pants one hose. 50 pence.

King James version, says Pence other translations say dinero y.

Which is a plural form of Denarius for what it's worth, as

Darrell said it's free. But here it goes a Denarius I

heard is about 16 cents. I also heard that one Denarius

is a day's labor or a day's wages needless to say, it

matters. Not this is what matters.

There are two debtors and neither can pay.

One has a big debt and one has a small debt and Jesus said, if

this happens and a creditor says too.

These debtors, I know you can't pee.

Your debt is Forgiven. Jesus said, who is going to love

him more? you know, even this old Pharisee

understood, you know, he said I suppose the one for whom he

forgave most, what if me and Ryan went to Bob And he loaned

us some money. Maybe Ryan borrowed fifty

dollars from him. Maybe I needed more, maybe I

borrowed $500 from we both have one thing in common Ryan, and I

are indebted to Bob, he's our creditor But one day we go to

Bob and we say we cannot pay it. Well, I'll tell you, Bob being

the good guy that he is he says okay both of you are forgiven

your debt. Ryan owed, 50 bucks.

I'm going to tell you any time you owe money and you no longer

owe it. It feels good.

So I would just add in that. Ryan's going to feel good about

that. He might even like Bob a little

But I'm a loving. cuz if I can't pay the larger, the debt The

more pressure and stress, it is to pay that debt.

If he forgives me the greater debt.

I'm going to love him more. I hope we know that Jesus was

not talking about money. In this Parable, I hope we can

all see in that, it's very clear.

That Jesus was talking about something else.

Then Jesus began to make a contrast.

First Jesus says Thou Hast answered rightly or correctly

because Simon said, I suppose the one for whom he forgave most

but then Jesus doesn't leave it there.

Jesus now is going to apply. What he has just said, by

comparing the Pharisee to this sinner, this woman in verses 44,

and through 46. It says, 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 has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them

with the hairs of her head. Now, gave us me no kiss.

But this woman since the time I came in hath, not ceased to kiss

my feet, my head with oil, Dowd, it's not annoying, but this

woman hath anointed my feet with Joint meant notice Simon.

You didn't bring any water for my feet.

And by the way, these were customary things that were done

in honor of a guest. It was the rightful thing to do

by way of a host. Jesus said, when I got here you

didn't recognize me with any honor at all as an honored

guest. In fact, he didn't Supply any

water for my feet. You didn't give me a kiss, which

was a greeting form. A respectful greeting form, much

like you. And I Might shake hands with

someone today. You didn't anoint my head with

oil. In fact, this woman has come and

when she did, so she washed my feet.

Not with the water, you provided.

But with her own tears, she dried them with nothing you

provided, but with her own hair and then you didn't give me a

kiss. You didn't greet me as your

guest. But she hasn't stopped kissing

my feet since I got here. You didn't anoint my head, but

she has not stopped anointing my feet with that.

Ointment, that was brought in that Alabaster Box.

Well, Jesus drives the point home in verse 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 at first glance in the King James version, it appears

That is a little bit confusing. Is Jesus saying that her love is

the cause of her forgiveness or is her love, the proof of her

forgiveness is who has she forgiven?

Because she loved much that's what it sounds like or is her

much love the evidence of the Forgiveness of her.

Many sins will go into a different translation.

It renders it this way and I think it's shed some light Light

on the subject, it says it like this.

I tell you, then the great love, she had shown proves that her

many sins have been forgiven. Whoever has been forgiven

little, however, shows only a little love and so, we find that

her much love was the was the reason or the the much love that

she had was the evidence of the Forgiveness of her many sins.

Ins much like the person that appreciate so much more.

Appreciate so much more. The fact that they've been

forgiven a large debt verse 50. Those says, just exactly what

saved her and that was her faith, thy faith.

Hath saved thee, go in peace. Her faith was the cause of her

forgiveness, and her love was the reflection of her faith.

Let me notice with you and Galatians, chapter 5, and verse

Galatians 5 · chapter mention

number 6, where Paul said for in Jesus Christ, Christ, neither

circumcision availeth. Anything nor uncircumcision but

Faith which worketh by love one more thing along this line, back

to our text. Now in verse 47 in the latter

part of it, it clears it up even further when it says, but to

whom little is Forgiven the same loveth little you know, when

applying this Parable today, this Parable can be a comfort, a

wonderful Comfort to The Sinner. You know what matters?

Not what a person person's past is like It doesn't matter of the

things that you did yesterday. If today, you've taken care of

that It doesn't matter the reputation that you once had

when you lived under a different standard.

This Parable is a beautiful story.

It is a beautiful story that even those that have great sin

in their life. In fact, those that have great

sin in their life will be forgiven first before the other

folks that think they have a little sin in their life and sit

in a condescending fashion Over The Sinner that comes to

repentance. It's all about the heart, Jesus

taught that so many times. Some people, you know, they they

really make a mess of their lives.

I know that and they know it, I'ma tell you something and I

think you'll find this to be true too.

When you've made a mess of your life.

Your guilt sometimes is harder to bear.

Sometimes your guilt is a cute. It's like a brand-new wound.

It's ever opened and it's always before you the sensations from

it continued on and on, and on, and it's painful.

I know. but, you know, when you come to Jesus with that kind of

a past, In all of that guilt, that's from your life is so

acute and hurt so badly. When you come as that song says,

there's room at the foot of the cross for you, when you come to

the feet of Jesus, like this woman did so long ago, you can

bare your soul and pour your heart out.

If you come in obedience to the gospel, come out of the Waters

of baptism, I'll tell you something, every single thing

that happened before is now behind you forever. but, you

know, sometimes when people have a life that is Tainted And it's

sinful. Sometimes they're going to

express their love for the Lord, even greater their appreciation

for him is even greater, they will be motivated for greater

service in their life. You know, the best example, I

can think about in the New Testament is that of the Apostle

Paul here was a man. Listen to what he said about

himself and First Corinthians chapter 15 and verses 9 and 10.

1 Corinthians 15 · chapter mention

Paul said, for I am the least of the Apostles and I'm not meet to

be called an apostle because I persecuted the Church of God.

But by the grace of God, listen, I am what I am and his grace,

which was bestowed upon me was not in vain.

Why was it not in vain? She going back?

He said, I am the least of the Apostles.

I am not even worthy to be called an apostle.

And by the way, we are talking about a man that was The very

chosen vessel of Jesus Christ himself, a man that had written

by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit over two-thirds of

the New Testament. Scripture a very, very important

man. In the eyes of Jesus Christ.

This was a man that was to Bear the name of Jesus to the

Gentiles and he says this, I am not even Worthy.

To be considered among the other Apostles.

Because I persecuted the Church of God.

But then he says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am and

the mercy and the grace that he showed me.

It was not in vain. Why was it not in vain?

He said this here's the reason, I labored more abundantly than

them. All.

That's why. But then he finishes it like

this as to not put too much credit on himself.

He says yet not I but the grace of God which was with me.

You know, like that old saying by the grace of God?

There go. I Here was a man that realized

his past was horrible. You know, if you think about all

the things that a person can do in this life, all the simple

things of destroying themselves, destroying their body,

destroying their friends, destroying their family and so

on and so forth. I can't think of anything that

was, as bad as Paul, he was diametrically opposed to the

furtherance of the Gospel. He was standing there, fighting

against the furtherance of the Gospel, persecuting the church,

and binding. All those that would call upon

the name of the Lord. Lord when he came to the

realization because Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus

Road, he changed. He said that was by the grace of

God and by that Grace I am what I am.

His grace was not bestowed upon me in a vein fashion and that's

because of this. I labored a i labored harder

than anyone in other words, he was indebted so much that he

worked even harder. Here's the point.

Let me just encourage you this way.

Don't wallow in your guilt. Of sins that have been forgiven.

Don't do that. I know that's hard to do.

Sometimes we feel guilty for things that have long been taken

care of, But that is counterproductive.

It is counterproductive to dwell on the sin that has been

removed. Just be like Paul very humbly,

be like Paul and labor even harder.

The blood of Jesus is what takes away those sins in our life.

When he removes, those sins by his blood, then we move on the

parable reveals how we can increase our love, and Devotion

to Jesus. Remember, the more aware we are

of the Forgiveness of sins and the Forgiveness that we have in

Jesus Christ, the more we will love and serve him.

Listen, there are two ways that one can have a Heightened sense

of forgiveness. Number one is what we've already

talked about, and that's easy to understand a person that is

guilty of a whole lot. When he's forgiven of a whole

lot, you have a heightened value of the Forgiveness of sins.

What about the second one? What about the person that never

feels like he's ever fallen into that category.

What about folks that have been children living in their lives,

with their parents, taking them to the Assemblies of the body of

Christ. Their whole life and then

obeying the gospel and never turned, their back and gone back

into the ways of the world and didn't participate in all of

those immoral acts and things that we have no business

partaking in. How is that kind of a person

going to also have a heightened sense of the importance of

forgiveness? Very, very simple.

Have a better understanding of sin.

When you understand what sin is and the price that was paid for

it. You will have a higher sense or

a heightened sense of the importance of forgiveness.

Well Paul said in Romans 6 and 23 that the wages of sin is

spiritual death which separates one from God Ezekiel.

The eighteenth chapter simply says the soul that sinneth.

It shall die. In Isaiah chapter 59, verses 1

Isaiah 59:1

and 2. The Bible says, Says behold

listen to these words Behold, The Lord's hand is not shortened

that it cannot save. Neither his ear heavy.

That it cannot hear listen to this, but your iniquities have

separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden

his face from you, that he will not hear you.

God can do it. God's there.

Waiting to save, he's there waiting and ready to forgive.

What type of sin did Isaiah say? That keeps a man from God.

What kind of sin causes God? Did not hear that individual.

What type of sin? Big sins?

Little sins, moral sins? What kind of sins?

You know what? He said, your sin That's the

kind of sin. Your sin.

Whatever that is, there is no degree of sin in this world.

All there is, is sin. And when Jesus died on the

cross, he died for all sins. The more we learn about the

terrible nature of sin. Then the more we will appreciate

the Forgiveness that we have in Jesus Christ.

When we understand that, and when we appreciate that, we will

be motivated to serve him even better in. 2nd Corinthians

chapter 5, and verses 14 and 15. The Apostle Paul said for the

love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that.

If one died for all then we're all dead and that he died for

all that they which live should not henceforth live unto

themselves but unto him which died for them and Rose.

Again. You know, when Jesus went to

Golgotha so long ago? On gothis, brow.

At Mount Calvary. Everything that happened to him.

Everything that he had to go through.

He went through for every man and every sin.

There is no degrees of it. The only thing that'll keep a

person that heaven is sin. That's it Isaiah said, what kind

of sin member that your sin? My sin.

Any sin. I want you to hear these words.

Maybe you've heard this before. I don't know.

Very touching words as written in a poem about what Jesus did.

I think, when we have an understanding of this, we can

better understand just exactly what Jesus did for us and in

doing that will have a greater appreciation. but it says this

in evil long, I took Delight uh, gnawed by shame or fear Till a

new object struck my site and stop my wild career.

I saw one hanging on a tree and agonies and blood.

Who fixed his languid eyes on me as near The Cross.

I stood. Sure, never till my latest

breath. Can I forget that?

Look It seemed to change me with his bread.

His death though, not a word. He spoke my conscience felt and

owned the guilt and plunge me in despair.

I saw my sins, his blood had spilt and help to nail him

there. Alas, I knew not what I did.

But now my tears are vain. Where shall my trembling Soul be

hid for. I the Lord have slain. a second,

look he gave which said I freely offer give This blood is for thy

Ransom paid, I die. That thou me live.

Thus, while his death, my sin displays in all its blackest

Hue, such is the mystery of Grace.

It seals my pardon to, with pleasing grief and mournful Joy.

My spirit now is filled But I should such a life destroy yet

lives by him. I killed my sins put Jesus on

that cross. So did yours, we got to get rid

of those sins, don't we? That's what we have to do.

That's really as simple as that, there's nothing hard about it.

We got to get rid of him. He did something to pave the way

for you and I, but you and I must do something in order to

remove those sins. In our life.

Bible is very clear. We come hearing the word of God

upon hearing. Faith comes by hearing Romans

Romans 10:17

10:17. Gene and hearing by the word of

God. Jesus would also say he that

believeth and is baptized shall be saved.

He that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16:15 and 16 Jesus

Mark 16:15

said I tell you nay but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise

perish. We understand that we need to

make a change in our life. We need to make the

determination. We no longer want to go in the

direction we've gone. I want to serve God and turn my

back on that old devil. And turn my back on a sinful

world. Then we must confess the good

confession, which is simply. I believe that Jesus Christ is

the son of God. And then go down into the Waters

of baptism. Be baptized for the remission of

sins for it is at the point the point of Salvation isn't baptism

all the other steps lead up to it, but it baptism is when

someone finally gets rid of those sins, let me ask you this,

though. What's your devotion and service

to Jesus been like Do you treat him like Simon did?

Is that how you treat Jesus in your life?

Do you invite him over but don't treat him like he deserves.

Have you honored him by your devotion and service to him?

Or are there things that you need the change you know this

Pharisee invited Jesus over but Jesus didn't say one favorable

thing about this fella. He said something about the

woman though her sins, which were many are forgiven.

How is it with you today? Are you not a Christian?

If you're not a Christian, you need to be a Christian and being

a Christian. One must be baptized for the

remission of their sins as we just talked about.

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Bakersfield.com. Our service times are on Sundays

at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Please make plans to join us. We would love for you to be our

honored guest.