The Principle of the Debt
The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt 18 (NIV), has a meaning that is largely lost on contemporary Christianity. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.” The servant owed him ten thousand talents, an unimaginable sum. On being confronted with his debt he pleaded, “Be
patient with me … I will pay back everything.” The king, being merciful, forgave him his debt. The debtor then, reacted strangely, or did he? On finding a fellow servant who owed him a small sum, he had him thrown into prison until he could pay what he owed. This is really the parable of the blind servant, for his statement that he would pay what he owed, showed clearly that he had no conception of his debt.
This leads to another story. Jesus is attending a feast given “in his honor” by Simon, a Pharisee. “When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” The Pharisee, who was aware of this woman’s sinful past, was appalled. Jesus, then, asked him a question. “‘Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed Him 500 denarii, and the other 50. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he
canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.’ … Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured
perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven [and you can tell she understood the extent of her debt] for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little, loves little’ ” (Lk 7:37–47 NIV).
Going back to the first parable: the servant had not been “forgiven little” but, due to his self-justification, he saw it as little. Jesus, in speaking to the church of Laodicea states: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. … So because you are lukewarm [having little love] … I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich: I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev 3:15-17 NIV).
Those who feel they are living an appropriate Christian life often feel little ongoing need for grace. However, those who have run into the pedagogue (the law creating need and bringing us insight), cling tightly to God's love and care as their only means of bearing fruit. Grace provides what the law demands. It is our response to grace that changes us, not our pitiful attempts to obey. Living in the atmosphere of God's grace must be our ongoing experience.
See the story of Joe.
Copyright 2011, Patrick Fagenstrom - edited 11/2013
The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt 18 (NIV), has a meaning that is largely lost on contemporary Christianity. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.” The servant owed him ten thousand talents, an unimaginable sum. On being confronted with his debt he pleaded, “Be
patient with me … I will pay back everything.” The king, being merciful, forgave him his debt. The debtor then, reacted strangely, or did he? On finding a fellow servant who owed him a small sum, he had him thrown into prison until he could pay what he owed. This is really the parable of the blind servant, for his statement that he would pay what he owed, showed clearly that he had no conception of his debt.
This leads to another story. Jesus is attending a feast given “in his honor” by Simon, a Pharisee. “When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” The Pharisee, who was aware of this woman’s sinful past, was appalled. Jesus, then, asked him a question. “‘Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed Him 500 denarii, and the other 50. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he
canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.’ … Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured
perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven [and you can tell she understood the extent of her debt] for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little, loves little’ ” (Lk 7:37–47 NIV).
Going back to the first parable: the servant had not been “forgiven little” but, due to his self-justification, he saw it as little. Jesus, in speaking to the church of Laodicea states: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. … So because you are lukewarm [having little love] … I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich: I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev 3:15-17 NIV).
Those who feel they are living an appropriate Christian life often feel little ongoing need for grace. However, those who have run into the pedagogue (the law creating need and bringing us insight), cling tightly to God's love and care as their only means of bearing fruit. Grace provides what the law demands. It is our response to grace that changes us, not our pitiful attempts to obey. Living in the atmosphere of God's grace must be our ongoing experience.
See the story of Joe.
Copyright 2011, Patrick Fagenstrom - edited 11/2013