September 17, 2023

He Taught Them Many Things in Parables

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-35, “Then Peter came and said, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus replied, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with the servants. 24 When the king began the reckoning, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before the king, 25 and, as they could not pay, the king ordered the servant to be sold, together with their family- wife, children- and all their possessions and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on their knees before the king, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for them, the lord of that servant released them and forgave the debt. 28 But that same servant, as they went out, came upon a fellow servant who owed them a hundred denarii, and seizing the servant by the throat said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then the fellow servant fell down and pleaded, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But the servant refused; then went and threw the other servant into prison until they would pay the debt. 31 When their fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then the lord summoned the servant and said, ‘You wicked one! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger the servant’s lord handed them over to be tortured until the entire debt would be repaid.  35 So my heavenly Maker will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Jesus tells a parable after telling Peter the importance of forgiveness.  Jesus taught us to pray for and offer forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer.  Jesus forgave his persecutors from the cross. The capacity to forgive (and ask for forgiveness!) is part of the serious work of discipleship that bears our hearing and studying … and practicing … over and over again.