Day #30: January 30, 2009 - Matthew 18:21-19:2

Peter asked Jesus a question commonly discussed in rabbinic debates - "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" The common answer was that it was considered sufficient to forgive three times. Peter may have chosen the number seven not only to indicate generosity, but also because the number seven is commonly used in the Bible to communicate completeness. Jesus’ answer did not mean his followers ought to keep count up to seventy times seven; rather, this statement means not to keep track of numbers at all. There ought to be no limit to a believer’s willingness to forgive another believer (within the confines of the steps set out above in helping to restore straying believers, 18:15-20). All believers ought to willingly forgive, for all believers have already been forgiven far beyond their comprehension, as the following parable shows.

The parable of the unmerciful servant is recorded only in Matthew and illustrates the need for unlimited forgiveness in the body of Christ. A king decided that he wanted to go over the books with his accountant. This first man found himself in debt for a huge sum of money. The man couldn’t pay the king the millions that he owed, so the king ordered that he, his family, and his possessions be sold to pay the debt. The sale of family as well as possessions to pay debts was common in ancient times.


The man humbly fell down before the king and begged for patience. The merciful king was filled with pity, released him and forgave his debt. This highly unlikely turn of events would have surprised Jesus’ listeners. What an incredible load must have been taken from his shoulders! Unfortunately, the story doesn’t end here. The king had forgiven a debt of millions of dollars and had let his servant go free. But when that servant left, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. The thousands he was owed was a significant amount, but compared to the millions, it was extremely small. The fellow servant also begged for patience but was refused, arrested, and jailed until the debt could be paid.

Compared to what the first servant had been forgiven, his refusal to forgive another was appalling. Apparently other servants (other court officials) thought his behavior was appalling as well, so they went to the king and told him what had happened. For some reason, the first servant just didn’t understand. After being forgiven millions of dollars, he threw into prison a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand. But before he continued too far on his merry way, he found himself summoned back to the king. The king, who had been so merciful, angrily reproved the servant for accepting forgiveness and then being unwilling to extend forgiveness to another. The servant should have had mercy on his fellow servant.


The king was so angry that he sent the man to prison. Because this man would not forgive another, the king decided not to forgive his debt either. Instead, the man would be imprisoned until he had paid every penny. This man effectively received a life sentence. The king in the parable represents the heavenly Father and pictures his role as judge.

In the context of interchurch discipline, the parable could underscore the corporate responsibility of the church to deal righteously with erring members. This includes harsh judgment on those who hurt the fellowship by refusing to forgive one another. But because God has forgiven all our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Realizing how completely Christ has forgiven us should produce a free and generous attitude of forgiveness toward others. When we don’t forgive others, we are saying that we appreciate God’s love and forgiveness but that we’re unwilling to give it to anyone else.


The Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus by getting him to choose sides in a theological controversy regarding divorce. The debate focused on Moses’ words about divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Some thought a man could divorce his wife for almost any reason. Others thought that a man could divorce his wife only if she had been unfaithful to him. If Jesus were to support divorce, he would be upholding the Pharisees’ procedures; they doubted that Jesus would do that. If Jesus were to choose sides in the controversy, some members of the crowd would dislike his position, for some may have used the law to their advantage to divorce their wives. Or, if he were to speak against divorce altogether, he would appear to be speaking against Moses. (we'll talk more about this tomorrow)

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I am reminded of the message this past Sunday. People sin, so we need to decide to forgive them. The truth is we all sin. 2 Corinthians 2:7 (CEV), is God’s encouragement to us. “When people sin you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair.”

Oftentimes I think, If I forgive and comfort them, that’s just going to give them an excuse to do it again. God says the exact opposite is true. If I don’t forgive them and I don’t comfort them they’re going to give up in despair. We all need someone in our lives who expresses to us the forgiveness of God.

PRAYER

Lord, I want to be a man of great compassion, mercy, grace and forgiveness. Help me be that man. Every day and every moment, remind me of what you have rescued me from. Remind me of what you have forgiven in my life. Remind me of where I would be without that forgiveness and love. God, give the people of COV a heart to be quick to forgive and extend mercy and grace and compassion. Help us have a reputation in our community for being that kind of church.