What are the parables in the Bible? What a great question and we are so glad you asked. Let’s dive in study the parables about riches in the book of Luke.
Luke: Parables About Riches in Luke
The Greater Love (7:42-50)
Introduction: Simon invited Jesus to his house, and Jesus spoke to Him:
“A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”
The Self Righteous Pharisee
Jesus had accepted an invitation to dine with a Pharisee. This Pharisee hadn’t shown Jesus certain courtesies, but a woman known as a sinner (woman of the street) did. (Pharisees were a strict religious sect who were self-righteous, not “sinners”). In another passage of the Bible, Jesus tells another story that involves a street woman (the woman caught in adultery) who’s in the midst of self-righteous religious men (John 7:53-8:11). It begs the question, “Why are these (sinful) women in the company of these self-righteous men?”
The Repentant Sinner
“Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” Jesus said, “You have judged correctly…. “Do you see this woman?” You didn’t wash My feet, “but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she…has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.” Therefore, her many sins “have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Simon and the sinner demonstrated their opinion about Jesus. The woman saw herself as an unworthy servant in Jesus’ presence, yet she accepted His grace and longed to be with Him. Simon saw himself as Jesus’ equal, a person worthy–even in Jesus’ presence.
“Then He (Jesus) said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Who Pleases God?
Conclusion: Jesus tells several parables that have this lesson. Even if they’ve committed more sins, a repentant sinner pleases God more than a self-righteous person.
Jesus claim to forgive sins shocked the leaders. Their response reveals that they saw themselves as superior to Jesus before this happened. But they knew only God could forgive sins. So, they wondered, “Who is Jesus?”
