The Lord Jesus had been invited to a meal... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
Luke 7:41

The Lord Jesus had been invited to a meal by the self-righteous Pharisee Simon. Suddenly a sinner-woman of infamous repute throughout the town entered the house, went over to Jesus, showing clear signs that she regretted the guilt she suffered from. Then Jesus told the parable of the two debtors.

By the two debtors the Lord wished to show that self-righteous man that not only the sinful woman, but he, too, was guilty before God. How embarrassing for the host to be classified alongside that woman! Guilt may be great or small, but in every case it is guilt.

When Christ speaks of man's relationship to God, this must be His starting-point. We are all bankrupt before God, unable to meet His righteous claims, which cannot be brushed aside by speaking of a "God of love" or "kind Father", who dwells somewhere high above the stars. God's holiness cannot be by-passed, or He would deny Himself by acting against His own principles.

We cannot find the help necessary to rid ourselves of our guilt by denying it. We must avail ourselves of God's "payment" of our debt: the atoning death of Jesus Christ, in whom every believer has redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7) and is justified from all guilt. That brings a totally new life, for "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

"There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5).

Today's reading: Leviticus 2:1-16 · Psalm 48:1-15