The Forgiven Servant: Matt. 18:21-35

Matthew 18:21-35 was examined in this past weekend’s message Break Free From Bitterness. The message can be downloaded at. http://radiantchurch.org/sites/default/files/files/mp3/10-Break-Free-From-Bitterness.mp3.

Matt. 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Matt. 18:22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Matt. 18:23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

Matt. 18:24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

This is an extraordinary amount of money – maybe up to a billion dollars. In other words, there was no way he could pay it back.

Matt. 18:25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

Matt. 18:26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

Matt. 18:27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

The master freely forgave him – which means the master would have to absorb the debt.

Matt. 18:28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’

This is not an insignificant amount but compared to what he was forgiven it is like nothing.

Matt. 18:29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

Matt. 18:30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

Matt. 18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

Matt. 18:32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

Matt. 18:33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

Matt. 18:34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

He would live his life tormented by the bill collectors.

Matt. 18:35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

God has forgiven us of an enormous debt we could never pay back. When others wrong us, though not insignificant, it is nothing compared to what God has forgiven us. If we don’t forgive, then we will experience various kinds of torment in our lives – which are the numerous consequences of bitterness.