The Parable of the Two Debtors – Seeing Beyond the Eyes

The sermon opens with the story of Fanny Crosby, who composed over 8,000 hymns despite being blind from childhood. Her life is a vivid illustration that human beings see not only with physical eyes but also with the heart, the mind, and lived experience. From this introduction, the pastor moves into Luke 7:36-50, the story of the Pharisee Simon, the sinful woman, and Jesus, structured around three perspectives: Simon's view, the woman's self-awareness, and Christ's gaze upon both debtors.

The first section analyzes Simon the Pharisee's perspective. He had invited Jesus to dinner, perhaps to investigate who He truly was, but when the sinful woman arrived weeping at Jesus' feet, Simon evaluated her solely through the lens of the 613 commandments of Mosaic Law. Through that lens, he concluded that Jesus could not be a true prophet if He allowed such a sinful woman to touch Him. Simon compared the woman's sin against his own law-keeping, taking pride in his self-righteousness rather than looking to the sinless Christ and recognizing that his own righteousness was but filthy rags before God.

The second section focuses on the woman, who speaks no words but expresses genuine repentance through her tears, using her hair to wipe Jesus' feet and pouring perfume on them. The pastor explains that her flask of perfume was the tool of her trade as a prostitute, and by offering it to Jesus she was renouncing her sinful life and expressing deep reverence for the Savior. She did not dare look at His face, only at His feet in profound humility, and it was precisely this repentance and contrition that moved Jesus to forgive her.

The third section presents Christ's perspective toward both people. Through the parable of the two debtors, Jesus teaches that the one forgiven more will love more. He sees through the exteriors of both Simon and the woman, perceiving their hearts clearly. The pastor uses the story of Cao Cao from Romance of the Three Kingdoms to illustrate the danger of misreading situations based on outward appearances alone, encouraging the congregation to ask questions and seek understanding rather than rush to judgment. Jesus' final words to the woman — "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" — remind everyone that true peace comes from the forgiveness of sin and does not depend on external circumstances.

The sermon concludes with a call for the church to be a place where sinners receive forgiveness and love, not only from God but from every member of the congregation. Drawing on Matthew 6:12-15, the pastor reminds the congregation that the forgiveness we receive from God must be reflected in the forgiveness we extend to one another. The closing question — "What do you see?" — challenges every listener to examine how they view others, how they view themselves, and how they view Christ.