Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

—Matt 18:21–35

 
 
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Matthew 18

  1. Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? As many as seven times?”
  2. Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!

Scene 1

  1. “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
  2. As he began settling his accounts, a man was brought to him who owed ten thousand talents.
  3. Because he was not able to repay it, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and all his possessions, and repayment to be made.
  4. Then the servant threw himself to the ground before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’
  5. The master had compassion on that servant and released him, and forgave him the debt.

Scene 2

  1. But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred silver coins. So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’
  2. Then his fellow servant threw himself down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you.’
  3. But he refused. Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he could repay the debt.

Scene 3

  1. When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their master everything that had taken place.
  2. Then his master called the first servant and said to him, ‘Evil servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me!
  3. Should you not have had mercy to your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’
  4. And in anger his master turned him over to the jailers to torture him until he repaid all he owed.
  1. So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.”

A couple of short verses

Matthew 5

  1. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
  2. leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
  3. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
  4. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Prayer

  1. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
  2. but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  1. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
  2. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Application

  1. Be as humble as a child 1–6
  2. Be aware how easy it is to fall into sin because it’s all around us: be on your guard 7–9
  3. Lost sheep: It’s God’s will that those who do fall and stray be brought back 12–14
  4. When there is failure in others, we do have to deal with it, but in love and care 15–20

Not used:

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ― C.S. Lewis

  1. Be as humble as a child 1–6
  2. Be aware how easy it is to fall into sin because it’s all around us: be on your guard 7–9
  3. Lost sheep: It’s God’s will that those who do fall and stray be brought back 12–14
  4. When there is failure in others, we do have to deal with it, but in love and care 15–20
  5. There are no limits to God’s forgiveness 21–27
  6. So there should be no limits to ours 28–29
  7. But not forgiving is extremely serious 30–35