“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

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—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Luke 7:41-47

---

It’s common for people to owe someone something. You go out for a meal with a friend. Rather than split the bill, you say you’ll Venmo them the money later. Maybe you send it right away. Maybe it slips your mind. Usually, you pay up in a reasonable timeframe. But sometimes what’s owed keeps getting bigger—a loan for a car repair, a down payment, an advance to pay off other debts. As your burden grows, so does your lender’s patience. When the tab is finally too much, your debt must get settled.

Like Simon the Pharisee in Luke 17, you’re familiar with what it feels like to be weighed down. Sometimes money is involved, but burdens that are hard to forgive come in all forms. Our debt of sin towards God and others adds up quickly. And once His grace cancels our bill, it’s inappropriate to shift the debilitating weight of what we owed onto another offender. Yes, they may have their own debt to settle, but stiff-arming them into submission isn’t how we’re to live and love as forgiven followers of Jesus.

As I reflect on the woman weeping at Christ’s feet and worshipping Him with overflowing gratitude, I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve done the same. Thanksgiving week is a timely opportunity to recognize the burdens I’m carrying, receive God’s forgiveness, and resist shifting my weight onto others. It can transform you too. Here are a few questions I’m digging into:

• What sins against God and others have I racked up?
• Whose unpaid tab towards me is piling up?
• In what areas and with whom do I need to forgive and seek forgiveness?

These are weighty questions, but so are the moments coming our way. Circling up with family and friends during this holiday season will be here before we know it. Wrestling with God during the weeks ahead about what’s weighing us down can free up our hearts and relationships. Let’s ask Jesus for insights and lay what He reveals before His feet so that forgiveness and freedom come with us to every table.

Next Steps

As you prepare your heart for Thanksgiving, dig into the three questions above. Then, consider the tables you’ll be at and who you’ll be seated by. Invite God to unlock any unforgiveness that you’re holding onto. Pray for the ability to freely and gratefully lock eyes with, listen to, and love whoever He places in your path this week.