Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on an important theme which is that of not refusing to forgive and that we read at Mat 18.32-33: 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled 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?”
Already if forgiveness is seen as a power which frees man, then the lack of forgiveness, on the contrary, represents a power that destroys him. Fortunately, the fear of the Lord allows us to understand that we are all indebted to Him, which leads us to conclude that His love for us outweighs our desire not to forgive.
This is why the Lord Jesus answers Peter: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times“, that is, an indefinite number of times, and therefore to always forgive. Because the Bible teaches us that love that animates us endures everything and never perishes.
It’s that in fact, the duty to forgive the offenses has no limits, because forgiveness which we grant to our neighbor is but a little thing compared to the grace that is given to us by the Lord God and that this grace therefore always obliges us to our merciful heavenly Father. This means that our debt to the Lord God, represented by His blessings to us, and our sins to our neighbor (Matthew 6:12), is infinitely elastic.
This is why the kingdom of heaven is also like a king who wanted to get an account from his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 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. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
This is to say that God’s eternal mercy is granted to him, as he has revealed it in its fullness through the Gospel, and which is the source of forgiveness, of a perfectly free forgiveness. That’s why the master grants the servant infinitely more than he asks.
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. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. Why were the same supplication words coming out of his mouth for him were granted to his fellow too? Because he should have taken into account the generosity of his master, which was unfortunately not the case. Indeed, each of us is called to practice forgiveness’ exercise in both directions: to forgive the offenses suffered, but also to ask forgiveness for our own shortcomings, towards God and towards our neighbor.
This is why the Master said: ‘You wicked servant, I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ We see that the king of the parable fulfills not only the role of creditor, but also that of judge. For this is how the Heavenly Father will treat each one of us who does not forgive his brother with all his heart. The Master therefore delivered the evil servant to the executioners, until he had paid all the debt.
This is why with the Lord Jesus, there are no installment payments of debts, not even interest rates, because the forgiveness of our debts is immediate and complete. For all that is expected of us is a real and sincere request for forgiveness, manifested by the suppliant attitude of the servant, who throws himself to the ground before his master to seek his compassion. But sometimes man blithely continues to sin as long as the Eternal God does not make him aware of his faults and stop him on this path. Let’s ask for his help on this important point, because the cross of Christ demonstrates that forgiveness cannot be calculated and cannot be counted. This is our hope. Because it’s from the top of this cross that we see Jesus demonstrating this truth, when he says: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Forgiveness is therefore the relationship that the Eternal God establishes between himself and us. It’s also the relationship he establishes between us and others.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for ease of understanding.
- The servant lacks mercy:
– give an account: Mt 21.34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.; Mt 12.36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.; Mt 18.23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.; 1 Peter 4.4-5 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
– Examples of spiritual poverty:> the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Jer 5.4 I thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.; > the bankrupt servant: Mt 18.23-25 “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.; > the prodigal son: Luke 15.14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
– oppression: Ex 1.14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.; James 2.6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ; James 5.4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.; + must be secured by mortgages: Ne 5.3 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ; + the recognition of the insolvency: Mt 18.24-25 “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.; + the fraudulent settlement of debts: Luke 16.5-6 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “ ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ ; + the obligation to pay: Rom 13.8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
– implore mercy: Ps 27. 7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.; Luke 18.13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
– bow down: Gen 37.7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”; Gn 43.28 They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him. ; Isa 49.23 “Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
- we must be merciful
– examples of mercy: Saul: 1 Sam 11.13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”; David: 1 Sam 26.9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? ; Solomon: 1 Kings 1.52 Solomon replied, “If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.” ; Elisha: 2 Kings 6.22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” ; Christ: Luke 9.55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
– ruthlessness> in the forgiveness of offenses: Mt 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. > in business: Mt 18.28,35 “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. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”> in the spirit: Rom 1.31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. > in judgment: James 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
– extortion: Mat 23.25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.; Isa 10.2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.
– reward of evil: Isa 59.18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. ; Eze 7.4 I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will surely repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. “ ‘Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ; 2 Th 1.6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
-fatherhood of God: Ps 68.6 God sets the lonely in families,he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.; Mt 6.9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; Rom 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ; 1 Peter 1.17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
From the above, we note that for the Lord God, there are no installment payments of debts, nor interest rates, because the forgiveness of our debts is immediate and complete. And all that is expected of us is a real and sincere request for forgiveness, manifested by the suppliant attitude of the servant, who throws himself to the ground before his master to solicit and obtain his compassion. But sometimes man blithely continues to sin as long as he does not make him aware of his faults and stop him on this wrong path. Let us ask for his help on this important point, because the cross of Christ shows that forgiveness can neither be quantified nor counted. This is our hope, for it is from the height of this cross that we see the Savior demonstrate this truth when he says: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Forgiveness is therefore the relationship He establishes between Himself and us. It’s also the relationship he establishes between us and others. So forgiveness we give to our neighbor is little compared to the infinite grace given to us by the Eternal God. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to always forgive.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the two sons’ parable pertaining to the Father’s will: , ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went …”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.