Matthew 18: Part III - The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (NIV)

Summary:

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Verses 21-35

Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him.  He asked if seven times was enough.  Jesus told him, not seven, but 77 times (or 7 X 70 times).  Jesus, then, told him this parable:

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who went to settle his accounts with his servants.  A man owed him 10,000 talents (millions of dollars), but wasn't able to pay it.  The master ordered to sell him, his wife, children, and possessions to pay off the debt.  The servant begged for patience and promised to pay everything back.  The master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go.

The servant left and found a fellow servant who owed him 100 denarii (a few dollars).  He grabbed the other servant, choking him, and demanded payment.  The other servant begged on his knees for patience and promised to pay off the debt.  The first servant refused and had him thrown in prison, until he could pay the debt.

The other servants saw what happened and were distressed.  They told the master everything that happened.  The master called the servant over, called him wicked, and reminded him of the debt he'd canceled.  The master asked if the servant should also have been merciful to his fellow servant.  In anger, the master turned the servant over to the jailers, to be tortured, until he could pay back everything.  This is how God will treat us, unless we forgive each other from the heart.

Lori's Thoughts:

In this parable, God is the master and we are the servants.  The enormous debt that the first servant incurred was salvation.  It is impossible for us to pay the price.  All we need to do is ask God for mercy.  He gives us more.  He gives us grace.  Jesus Christ canceled the debt for us by His death and resurrection.

However, if we do not obtain a relationship with God, we will not become like Him.  There is no room for sin in heaven.  So, if we don't forgive other humans for their faults, which are miniscule compared to the payment for salvation, we will be thrown in hell.

Be merciful as your heavenly father is merciful.  Don't be a doormat, but be quick to forgive when people ask you.

"Oh, praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!"

"Oh, praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!"

"Oh, praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!"