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.”
- How would you feel if you owed $20 million dollars and had a $30,000 per year salary?
- How would you feel if you owed $10,000 dollars and had a $30,000 per year salary?
- What words did the first servant say to the master?
- What words did the second servant say to the first servant?
- Who turned in the first servant?
- How much did the master want the first servant to repay in v. 34?
To me, this passage is in contention for most scary passage in the New Testament. It simply comes down to the last two verses. The master threw the servant in prison to repay the original debt. The servant had not borrowed more money. The master had previously removed the debt from the payment due status, but the debt was still on the books. Because the servant did not forgive as he had been forgiven, the RULE came into play. If I read verse 35 correctly, this is how God will treat us if we do not forgive from the heart. That's right. Every past sin is back on the table. I don't know about you but I don't want my sins back on the table. Let me see... who else do I need to forgive?
1 comment:
The reading in Matthew 18:23-35 is not so difficult to understand. The meaning is self-evident. I too find this passage scary because I understand what I read and I understand the consequences. Sometimes I think "Revenge is sweet," but actually, the sweetness is short lived. If one wishes to share in God's mercy, then one must live with his or her neighbors and extend mercy to them.
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