The Unforgiving Servant – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 18, verses 15 to 35
God desires justice but loves mercy.
Peter asks “how often must I forgive someone?”
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ 22 Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:21-22
Wanting an excuse to limit forgiveness, but Jesus ushered in a new way, of grace, mercy and forgiveness.
The forgiving King
‘Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 ‘At this the servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
Matthew 18:23-27
A huge debt, 10000 bags of gold (14 Billion dollars today!). The servant begs for time (which would not have helped) and the king in mercy cancelled the debt. Jesus was soon to be shown no mercy, that God might have mercy on us.
The unforgiving servant
28 ‘But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. “Pay back what you owe me!” he demanded. 29 ‘His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.” 30 ‘But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
Matthew 18:28-30
A much smaller, though not trivial, debt, 100 pieces is silver, about $27,000. That’s a lot to forgive. But we should not be looking for a forgiveness limit.
The other servants respond
31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Matthew 18:31
Outraged, they tell the king. Our own actions speak louder than words when we won’t forgive. Forgiveness shows what God is like.
The King punishes the unforgiving servant
32 ‘Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 ‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Matthew 18:32-34
Jesus’ Warning
35 ‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Matthew 18:35
If we don’t, have we ever really understood the greatness of our sins and the greatness of God’s forgiveness? Have we really begged for mercy and been forgiven?
Reflect on the greatness of God’s grace. Pray for help to forgive. Even wanting to forgive is a good start.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
