Matthew 18:21-35
Lesson
The Lord has forgiven us much, and he requires of us to forgive, from the heart, whoever sins against us.
The Parable
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’
“Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
“’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!” So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 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. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
“’So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.’”
Lesson
God forgives us from the heart when we first come to Him for salvation, and thereafter when we confess our sin to Him, for as David says, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise,” Psalm 51:17. In return, he expects of us to also forgive our brother from the heart, when they turn to us for forgiveness. But even more than this, we should cultivate within us the heart that Jesus had, in that He was willing to forgive those who were crucifying Him, even though they didn’t ask for forgiveness, “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing,’” Luke 23:33-34.
The whole point of everything in Christ is love; love for God, and love for others, especially our brethren. If we refuse to forgive those who do us wrong (and we have certainly wronged others in our lifetime), how are we acting in love?
Verses respecting forgiveness
If we do not forgive, neither will we be forgiven
Matthew 6:12, 14-15: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
Mark 11:25-26: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.]”
We are always to be forgiving
Luke 17:3-4: “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
2 Corinthians 2:6-7: “Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
God is always willing to be forgiving
1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Matthew 23:37: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”