The Importance of Forgiveness (B)
Bitterness, Blog, Coins, Debt, Erik Garthe, Forgive, Forgiveness, God’s Grace, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hurt, Jail, Jailers, Judgment, King, Master, Mercy, Neighbor, No Longer Conformed, Obedience, Offense, Pride, Prison, Resolved, Servant, Sin, The Importance of Forgiveness (B), Torturers, Unpayable, Violence
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Has anyone ever hurt you deeply? How long ago was it? Why were you able to recall it so easily? Was the offense ever resolved? In the parable of Matthew 18:21-35, several questions need to be
considered. First, why did the master forgive the whole debt when the servant only asked for more time to pay it off?—“The master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” (v. 27) The king knew there was no chance of it being paid back to him. Second, why did the servant use violence to get a few coins after receiving the forgiveness of a great debt?—“He … put him in prison until he should pay the debt.” (v. 30) It was like winning a lottery, paying off all your debts and then shaking down a neighbor for 20 bucks he borrowed. That servant never really received the great gift the king had given to him. He intended to pay it all back … a few coins at a time! We throw other people into jail all the time: every offense done is a brick; bitterness is the mortar, and there’s no room for God’s grace. Bitterness is addictive; you need greater doses. God has to send torturers to break us down. Pride is such a dangerous sin: it’s like bad breath; everyone notices but the one who has it. That’s why the torturers are necessary. Third, how can an un-payable debt be paid in jail?—“In anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.” (v. 34) He must come to his senses and receive the gift. God lets us go downhill until we admit our need for His mercy, accept His grace, and apply it to our life in obedience. Fourth, why is there no mention of servant #2 being released from jail? The king did not put him there; servant #1 put him in jail, and only he can release him. We have put people in the jail of our lack of forgiveness and bitterness. The Holy Spirit may be reminding you of someone now. Bitterness is holding that person in your personal judgment.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
