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Parable of the Forgiving Master and the Wicked Servant.

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Matthew 18:23-35
23Therefore the kingdom of Heaven has been compared to a certain king who desired to make an accounting with his servants. 24And when he had begun to count, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But as he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded that he, and his wife and children, and all that he had, be sold, and payment be made. 26Then the servant fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay you all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28But the same 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. 29And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay you all. 30And he would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry. And they came and told their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after he had called him, said to him, O wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Should you not also have pitied your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? 34And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him. 35So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also to you, unless each one of you from your hearts forgive his brother their trespasses.
MKJV
Insights
  • The first servant was forgiven the debt of 10,000 talents, an amount he most-likely could not pay back. Thus he fell down and worshiped the king. Either it was good intentions or perhaps a bold faced lie, but he said he would pay all the money back. This tells us that the servant's focus was the money owed and not debt cancellation, forgiveness and mercy. Thus he judged his fellow servant as he thought he should be judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again, Matthew 7:2.
  • This servant then found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii. (100 days wages), a sum that could be payed back, but this servant would not forgive him as he had been forgiven, for mercy and forgiveness was not in his heart.
  • We might look at this parable as only a mere gesture, but this is the way the kingdom works and operates. We need not only to learn this, but to put it in practice. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses, Matthew 6:14-15.