A CERTAIN CREDITOR WHO HAD TWO DEBTORS

We have here a principle established by the Lord that is the mea­sure of intelligent spirituality: low thoughts of oneself and lofty thoughts of our Saviour.

It would appear that the purpose of the Lord’s invitation to Simon’s house was to provide answers to questions the host still had about Him, v. 39. This reluctance to acknowledge Him led Simon to omit affording the Lord the common courtesies of the day. The Lord did not make a scene about it.

Into the picture came a woman who was noted as a sinner. Mankind defines ‘sinners’ by comparison, seeing some as worthy of the title and others not so. God knows no such distinc­tion, stating that ‘all have sinned’, Rom. 3. 23. Immediately, the host used this woman as the test of the Lord’s credibility. He made no attempt to protect the Lord from this woman’s atten­tion, preferring rather to see the Lord compromised. It reflects poorly upon a man’s character when he savours entrapment more than protection.

The Lord, however, was not caught out by events, ‘He knew what was in man’, John 2. 25. To dispel Simon’s doubts, the Lord spoke this parable. In doing so, He not only proved His own cre­dentials but also made His host to know himself better.

On any number of occasions the Lord, in a masterful way, sets a conundrum for His accusers that only permits one inter­pretation. Simon was bound to answer correctly. In doing so he condemned himself.

How precious are those words, ‘he frankly forgave them both’. E. W Bullinger, in his Critical Lexicon, says that it properly signifies ‘to graciously remit a person’s debt or sin’. ‘The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men’, Titus 2. 11.

Our gratitude will never rise higher than our appreciation of His forgiveness. I can only wonder at how malignant my sin appears to a holy God. Such is His uncompromising holiness it is a miracle that He can ever forgive at all! If it were not for the Saviour’s petition, ‘Father, forgive them’, humanity would be damned without hope. Surely, that grace demands my gratitude?