Two Debtors (Moneylender)

Two Debtors (Moneylender)

Text: Luke 7:41–43 (context: Luke 7:36–50)

Introduction: What Jesus’ Story Teaches
Jesus tells of a lender with two debtors—one owes five hundred denarii, the other fifty. Neither can pay. The lender cancels both debts. Jesus then asks, “Which will love him more?” Simon answers, “The one forgiven more.” The lesson is clear: when people grasp the weight of their debt and the mercy extended, love springs up and becomes visible.

Setting: A Pharisee’s Table and an Uninvited Guest
Jesus accepts a meal invitation from Simon the Pharisee. A woman known in the city for her sin enters, weeping. She wets Jesus’ feet with tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and pours costly ointment. Simon watches and draws a conclusion about Jesus; Jesus answers with a parable and then measures both hearts by their deeds (Luke 7:36–39).

The Parable Explained
Two people owe a lender. Both are bankrupt. The lender cancels both debts. The question that follows draws out the heart: the measure of love reflects the measure of forgiveness a person receives and recognizes (Luke 7:41–43). Jesus then turns to Simon and places the spotlight on actions. Simon offered no water, no greeting kiss, no anointing. The woman supplied them all with tears, kisses, and ointment (Luke 7:44–46). Jesus declares her forgiven and points to her faith expressed in devotion: “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50).

What Love Looks Like When Forgiveness Lands

• Honest humility. The woman takes the lowest place at Jesus’ feet. She does not defend herself or shift blame.

• Costly honor. She pours what she has. Her treasure reorders because Jesus has become most important.

• Unashamed affection. She kisses His feet again and again. Reverence moves from talk to touch.

• Persistent service. She keeps at it despite whispers in the room. Love stays steady when critics stir.

Why Simon’s House Felt Cold
Simon provided a table yet withheld honoring courtesies. He knew the forms of religion and missed the heart of it. Formality can become a shield from repentance. When people treat their sins as slight and others’ sins as severe, love dries up. The parable exposes that danger. The woman’s deeds do not purchase pardon; her deeds reveal a heart that has turned to Jesus and received what He gives.

Forgiveness, Faith, and Doing the Father’s Will
Jesus ties salvation to obedient trust: “He who does the will of My Father” (Matthew 7:21). Scripture says He is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). In this scene, faith moves toward Jesus, takes responsibility for sin, and acts. That same pattern shapes our response to the gospel today: hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16), then continue in daily obedience (James 1:22–25).

Learning to Love Much

• Remember the debt. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Forgetting this shrinks love.

• Keep the cross before you. Meditate on Psalm 32 and Psalm 51. Let confession be fresh, not stale.

• Turn gratitude into action. Serve Christ’s people, honor Christ’s name, welcome the repentant, restore the fallen, and bless the poor (Galatians 6:10).

• Guard against a narrow heart. Measure by Scripture, not by social labels. Jesus received sinners who turned to Him; disciples do the same (Matthew 9:10–13).

• Practice visible devotion. Private prayer, generous giving, pure speech, reconciled relationships—these are today’s tears and ointment (Matthew 5–7).

Warnings for Modern Simons

• Duty without mercy. Routines that ignore people at your gate harden the heart (Luke 10:31–32).

• Cold orthodoxy. Correct answers without changed conduct do not impress the Lord (Matthew 7:22–23).

• Comparison religion. Measuring by “worse sinners” leaves the soul unexamined (Luke 18:9–14).

• Withheld honor. Offering Christ minimal attention while reserving honor for self empties worship of warmth (Malachi 1:6–8).

What Jesus Still Says in Simon’s Dining Room
“Do you see this woman?” (Luke 7:44). The Lord calls us to see people through the lens of redemption—to see what mercy can make of them and what obedience should look like in us. He also calls us to see ourselves: where love runs thin, repentance has stalled. Where love runs deep, forgiveness has been welcomed.

Conclusion: Love More by Owning the Debt and Receiving the Canceling
Two debtors stood before a lender. Both walked away free. One loved deeply. The other remained distant. The difference lay in honest awareness and a ready response. Come to Jesus with clear eyes, accept His terms, and let devotion become evident in a reordered life.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline

• Introduction: Moneylender and two debtors—simple story, piercing question (Luke 7:41–43)

• Context: Simon’s invitation; the woman’s arrival; the room’s reaction (Luke 7:36–39)

• Parable decoded by Jesus

  • Lender cancels both debts (forgiveness originates with the one owed)

  • Question draws out love’s measure (Luke 7:42–43)

• Application to the room

  • Simon’s omissions: no water, no kiss, no oil (Luke 7:44–46)

  • Woman’s devotion: tears, hair, kisses, ointment

  • Jesus’ verdict: sins forgiven; faith has saved; go in peace (Luke 7:47–50)

• Principles for disciples

  • Love grows as forgiveness is understood and embraced

  • Faith acts; obedience demonstrates allegiance (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9; James 1:22–25)

  • Gospel response: belief, repentance, confession, baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3–4)

• Dangers to avoid

  • Formal religion without mercy

  • Self-excusing comparisons

  • Withholding honor from Christ in daily life

• Practices that deepen love

  • Regular confession and remembrance (Psalms 32; 51)

  • Tangible service to Christ and His people (Galatians 6:10)

  • Welcoming repentant sinners; guarding speech and conduct (Matthew 5–7; Ephesians 4:29)

• Invitation: Come to Jesus on His terms; let your response be visible and ongoing

Call to Action
Open Luke 7 this week and read the whole scene aloud. Write down where your love for Christ shows most clearly and where it has cooled. Repair a neglected duty of honor—serve a saint, reconcile a relationship, restore a sinner. If you have delayed the gospel’s appointed response, arise and be baptized, washing away your sins, calling on His name (Acts 22:16).

Scripture Reference List

• Luke 7:36–50—Setting, parable, contrast between Simon and the woman, Jesus’ verdict

• Luke 7:41–43—Two debtors; love reflects awareness of forgiveness

• Luke 7:47–50—Forgiveness declared; faith saves; peace granted

• Matthew 7:21—Entrance linked to doing the Father’s will

• Hebrews 5:9—Salvation tied to obedience to Christ

• James 1:22–25—Doers of the word are blessed in doing

• Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4—Appointed response to the gospel

• Romans 3:23—All have sinned; universal need

• Psalm 32; Psalm 51—Confession and joy of forgiveness

• Matthew 9:10–13—Jesus calls sinners; mercy desired

• Galatians 6:10—Do good to all, especially the household of faith

• Luke 18:9–14—Parable exposing comparison religion

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO