#1292 Matthew 18 Part 4 Unpayable and Ungrateful

 

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18: 21-35 ESV

Matthew 18: 21-35

As many as 7 times - The Scribes taught that it wasn't necessary to forgive someone more than 3 times, and this is what Peter would be familiar with. He probably thought he was in good shape here, after all, he more than doubled the culturally accepted high mark.

“The Rabbis discussed this question, and recommended not more than three times…Peter’s seven times is therefore generous, but Jesus’ reply does away with all limits and calculations.” (France)

Seventy seven times - Jesus plays back to Genesis where Lamech uses this in the opposite way, wanting justice for any offense to himself. Christ makes forgiveness better than revenge, and the desire of it more than gold, for this is what beggars want, so should they not also give what they have freely received?

…23Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” Genesis 4: 23-24

10,000 talents - So different commentators over the years have worked this out to anywhere from millions to a billion dollars in debt. This guy wasn't Elon Musk, and he wasn't a king so this is best viewed as a debt beyond his ability to repay. It is the same state spiritually for every man, God owes you no mercy, but that He gives it should incline us to be merciful as well. It is a tell when we can't.

…13Now therefore, our God, we give You thanks, and we praise Your glorious name. 14But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You. 15For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.… 1 Chronicles 29: 13-15

…34“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 35 “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.… Romans 11: 34-36

His master ordered him to be sold - That which cannot be repaid by weight, by gold, must be repaid by justice, for as long as it takes. If it is against the king then it is against his kingdom, so for however long it stands. When we speak of God then, He is eternal and His kingdom an everlasting one.

…22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 22-23

Have patience with me - He will need more than patience, as we have said, it is a debt beyond his ability. So many people think they can work it off, but the law would teach us otherwise, honesty would show differently, that the least sin against an infinite God bears eternal consequences. 

“Many a poor sinner is very rich in resolutions. This servant-debtor thought he only needed patience; but indeed he needed forgiveness!” (Spurgeon)

…32For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him, that we can take each other to court. 33Nor is there a mediator between us, to lay his hand upon us both. 34Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me.… Job 9: 32-34

…7in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.… Ephesians 2: 7-9

A hundred denarii - A debt which could possibly be paid over time.

The debt was real. 100 denarii was roughly equal to 100 days’ wages. This was not an insignificant amount, but it was almost nothing compared to the debt forgiven by his master. It was actually 1/600,000 of the debt owed to the master by the first servant. - Enduring Word

He began to choke him - A great lesson here, and considering how much we have been forgiven, what we forgive is rather insignificant in this realm. Are we not sojourners, are we not grateful?

…8None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9Rather, as it is written: “ No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.… 1 Corinthians 2: 8-10

You wicked servant - What the King forgave was of far greater value, an insurmountable debt. Those who actually repent are those who actually see what their sin is, and they desire to be removed from it. They also receive compassion for others, for they know no worse sinner than themselves. What has come to them goes out from them as they grow and reflect. 

…13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.… Matthew 6: 13-15

If you do not forgive your brother from your heart - Listen, it's no easy thing, but it is not impossible with God. The same God Who you believed in for your own forgiveness is the One you cry out to in repentance for what you currently seem incapable of doing. The worse thing you can do is say I reached my limit, I am at 7 times, that is my max. You may need to remove yourself from someone who continues to hurt you, for abuse is wrong and making yourself available to them for that is not good for either of you, but plead for them in your heart, for it is a horrible ending that awaits them. The Christian life is repentance, daily, and unforgiveness is something that we need to repent of, remembering what Christ did for us. The same Jesus you believed in for mercy has given you His Spirit, and He is able to bring you to that place where you can forgive.