Submitted by Pastor Brad Dush, Fairfax Methodist Church

Another parable that Jesus told, found in Luke 7:41-43, is the story of the Two Debtors. If you have not read it recently, I encourage you to pause and read the passage before continuing. (FYI: This parable is found only in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus tells it during a meal at the home of Simon the Pharisee after a woman, known throughout the town as a sinner, anoints His feet with her tears, perfume, and kisses.)

Jesus says, “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:41-42 NET). Simon answers, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” Jesus replies, “You have judged rightly.” (Luke 7:43 NET)

(FYI: The “silver coins” in this passage are denarii, each representing approximately one day’s wage. One debtor owed about fifty days’ wages, while the other owed nearly five hundred. Neither debtor, however, had the means to repay what was owed. Both depended entirely upon the mercy of the creditor.)

The heart of the parable is not the size of the debt but the greatness of the forgiveness. Neither debtor could earn release. Both received an undeserved gift. The difference was not found in the creditor’s generosity, but in the response of those who received it.

Jesus then turns Simon’s attention from the story to the woman kneeling before Him. Simon had offered few of the customary acts of hospitality. The woman, however, had washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed them continually, and anointed them with expensive perfume. Her actions revealed a heart overflowing with gratitude.

Jesus concludes, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47 NET).

These words should not be misunderstood. Jesus is not teaching that some people need less forgiveness than others. Scripture reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rather, He is teaching that those who truly recognize the depth of God’s mercy cannot help but respond with love, worship, and gratitude.

When we hear this parable today, it invites us to remember the debt Christ has forgiven. The longer we follow Him, the easier it can become to forget the wonder of His grace. J.D. Walt often shares a line from an old gospel hymn that beautifully captures the heart of the Gospel: “He paid a debt He did not owe because I owed a debt I could not pay.” That is the heart of this parable. None of us could repay the debt of our sin, yet through Christ, God has graciously forgiven what we never could. Those who truly understand that kind of mercy cannot help but love the One who first loved them.

The Kingdom of God is filled with people whose grateful hearts overflow with the knowledge of God’s greatness and forgiveness.