Welcome And Purpose

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Hello everyone, this is Mark Davis, and I want to welcome you to the Gospel Explorations Podcast, where we gather together each week to take time to explore God's Word to learn how we ought to live in this present age. I'm glad you've chosen to spend some time with us today. Let's jump into today's episode.

Unforgiveness After Conflict

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Well, hello, friends, and welcome back to the Gospel Explorations Podcast. I'm Mark Davis, your host, and this is episode number 76. The last time we were together, we talked about dealing with sin in the kingdom community and uh some instructions that Jesus gave us on how to confront it, how to restore a one who has fallen in sin, and then how to walk in unity. Now, today in Matthew chapter 18, we're going to look at verses 21 through 35 and finish out the chapter. And Jesus here is going to take this even a little bit deeper because even if we handle the conflict correctly, there's still an issue that can quietly destroy everything, and it's that of unforgiveness. So Jesus answers a question that all of us have asked at some point, I'm sure, in our lives. And that is, how much is enough when it comes to forgiveness? Look with me at Matthew chapter 18.

How Much Forgiveness Is Enough

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We're going to start in verse number 21. The scriptures tell us then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times? Now, I think in this verse, Peter believes that he's being generous. In that culture, many rabbis taught that forgiveness was up to three times. And here Peter doubles it and even adds one more, if you will, for good measure, because seven times sounds more spiritual. Yet the reality here is Jesus is not impressed. Notice what Jesus says in verse 22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee until seven times, but until 70 times seven. Now I think it's important that we note here, Jesus is not giving us a number to track. And where the world says that's enough, Jesus says, No, you need to keep forgiving. And in doing this, Jesus flips the script because Jesus is calling us as his followers to be people of unlimited forgiveness. So to help them understand, Jesus shares a parable with his disciples, starting in verse 23.

The King Cancels An Impossible Debt

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He says, Um, therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king which would take account of his servant. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had in payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the debt. So we find here a story with this man who has an impossible debt. Ten thousand talents was literally unattainable. It's the kind of number that would make people laugh. There is no plan, no strategy, there's just no way out. This man is completely bankrupt. And as he's being taken to pay off his debt, he asked the one to whom he owed that he would show compassion, that he would give him a break, if you will. He asked him to have patience with him. The servant here makes a ridiculous promise. He says, I'll pay you everything. Now the reality is he couldn't do that, not even in a lifetime, not in a thousand lifetimes. But the master didn't negotiate. He forgave completely and freely, and the scriptures tell us it was out of compassion. This is really the gospel on display. We owe a debt that we could never repay, and God cancels it. But notice something that happens in the latter part of this parable, starting in verse number 28.

Mercy Refused Over A Small Debt

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But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but he went and cast him into the prison till he could pay the debt. So there's this shocking turn where everything changes in this story. The the man who had just been forgiven, this insurmountable debt, has uh a debt that he is owed of a hundred pence. Now, this is about a hundred days' wages. So it's not that it's nothing, but it really is nothing in comparison to what he had just been forgiven. And what does the servant do? The Bible tells us that he grabs him by the throat, he demands that he pays what he owes. And the contrast that Jesus is making between these two is meant to hit hard because infinite mercy was received, and now zero mercy is being given. And notice the man that owed the hundred pence, he has the same plea. He asked the man to be patient with him, yet he would not. You see, that same plea that brought mercy is now falling on a hard heart. And instead of compassion, he chooses punishment and he throws the man into prison. And suddenly the story becomes painfully personal. Because the reality is we've all been there. Those who have been forgiven much, yet we still struggle to forgive a little. Notice the judgment that comes as a result, starting in verse 31.

Judgment For Withholding Mercy

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So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me. Shouldst not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. The master calls this man back, and notice the issue now is not the original debt, it's the failure to show mercy. He says to him, You receive compassion, so why didn't you give it? And then comes the judgment. The scriptures tell us this man is handed over to torment, and justice replaced mercy. Now, Jesus wraps up this parable with a warning, saying, So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive not. Now, notice Jesus is not softening the story. He's rather bringing it straight home. It's not theoretical in nature, it's about us. And the reality is forgiveness must be from the heart. It can't just be words, it can't just be a surface-level politeness. It must be real and deep and genuine. And the reason this is important is because we forgive because we've been forgiven. And we haven't just been forgiven, we've been forgiven an unpayable debt. The reality is no one can sin against you more than you have sinned against Almighty God. That doesn't minimize the pain, it doesn't excuse the wrong, but it reframes everything.

Forgiveness Must Be From The Heart

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We've been called in scripture to have a heart ready to forgive. Forgiveness is about your heart before God. And also, let me make note that forgiveness doesn't eliminate consequences. A person can be forgiven and yet still face justice. Just like someone can forgive a thief and still call the police. You see, forgiveness is personal and oftentimes justice is societal, but both can exist together. Now don't miss the warning here. There is a danger in unforgiveness because unforgiveness doesn't just affect others, it tortures you. Just like the servant in the parable, he was filled with bitterness and resentment and anger, and it imprisons our heart. You know, the reality is unforgiveness reveals something much deeper. And I think primarily it's a failure to grasp how much we've been forgiven. So, what is it that Jesus wants us to walk away from when we look at this parable? First, I think we need to understand there is no limit to forgiveness.

Forgiveness And Consequences Together

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Not because people deserve it, but because God has forgiven us. Secondly, I think it's important to note that we never forget our own debt. The more we understand grace, the more we will extend grace. Third, forgiveness is a hard issue. It's not just about words or behavior, it's about something deep inside of us. And finally, unforgiveness is no small issue. It is a serious spiritual danger. Jesus shows us here in this passage that forgiveness is not optional in his kingdom, it's essential. Because the cross didn't just save us, it's what set the standard for how we should treat others. You see, because we've freely been forgiven, we should be freely forgiving. Thanks, friends,

Final Takeaways And Next Steps

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for joining me on the Gospel Explorations Podcast. If this has been a help and encouragement to you, take a moment to share this with someone else. And don't forget to check out the show notes for study questions and reflection on this passage. Until next time, friends, grace and peace. Thanks for listening. I hope that you've been both encouraged and challenged today. If you want to connect with us further, please be sure to check us out on the web at gospelexplorations.com. We look forward to having you join us again next time.