Here is an audio clip for this week’s post.
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant – Matthew 18:23-34
In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
Ephesians 1:7
Why should we forgive others?
Because of…
1-God’s grace Ephesians 4:32 (…just as God has forgiven you…)
2-our guilt Matthew 6:14-15 (…Father will also forgive you…)
3-the grief that it brings to God, to others and to us. – Hebrews 12:15 (…a root of bitterness…)
4-how a heart of unforgiveness taints our gifts and offerings. Matthew 5:23 & 24
Before we begin this week’s parable from Jesus, let’s backtrack a bit.
The disciples had already witnessed so many incredible miracles in a short period of time. They had witnessed the love and the truth that Jesus revealed. Everything He did brought glory to His Father and enriched their faith. But their time with Jesus was growing short.
There was still so much to learn. Not only had Jesus told them that they had the authority to heal the sick and free those caught in spiritual bondage, but He taught them vital lessons like honoring God’s moral law, discovering godly wisdom, and the requirement of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is necessary for every believer. (1 John 3) Forgiveness is hard and costly. It cannot be accomplished without God’s power living in a believer. The disciples were discovering this as they walked with Jesus.
The more we learn about the disciples, the more we see how their faith would ebb and flow. Sometimes they were victorious in the lessons that they learned. Then their faith would suddenly soar.
At other times, the weakness of their humanness would prevail. Some would capitulate to sinful anger or pride. Others would fall into an abyss of doubt.
But Jesus just kept teaching them, praying for them and loving them. (John 17:6-19)
Jesus knew their greatest tests were yet to come. He knew that they would face the struggle of unforgiveness more and more, but especially as their steps drew closer to His crucifixion. Everything Jesus did helped strengthen their faith for those deadly days.
With that, let’s take a look at the parable for today- The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.
The lessons that Jesus illustrated in this parable include meritless mercy, unlimited forgiveness, and the consequences of unforgiveness.
Who’s Counting?
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
Mercy Covers Justice
Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he had begun to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’
The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt.
Double Standard
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
“So, his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
He would not but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due.
Be Sure, Your Sins will Find You Out
So, when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry and came and told their lord all that was done.
Consequences
Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
His lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him. So, my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
And here is one more reminder about forgiveness, from Jesus.
“…Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. “
Matthew 6:12 & 13
There is mercy and grace for those who truly repent and confess their sins.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.es
Statement of Faith
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 