Today, Pastor Steve Carpenter continues his exploration of Jesus’ Parable of Two Debtors from Luke 7:36–50.
Jesus now places this (former) prostitute on a high pedestal for all to see, while at the same time giving a scathing indictment of Simon’s own rudeness.
Jesus looks squarely at this woman, whom everyone else was trying to ignore, while at the same time speaking directly and pointedly to Simon the Pharisee.
To drive His point home to Simon He tells the Parable of the Two Debtors, clearly indicating that this woman’s many sins have been forgiven, a fact evidenced by her lavish outpouring of love to Jesus.
To the shock and horror of all those present, Jesus now explicitly tells the woman, “Your sins have been forgiven,” to which they murmur among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”
Jesus concludes by giving a supremely comforting message directly to this woman, and in front of everyone, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
“Saving faith, expressed through love.” The gospel. Jesus’ offer of forgiveness for sinners in the first century, and for all centuries.