This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Today, we look at a new parable. This one is on the power of forgiveness.
(Matthew 18:21-35 TPT)
21 Later Peter approached Jesus and said, “How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times!
23 The lessons of forgiveness in heaven’s kingdom realm can be illustrated like this: “There once was a king who had servants who had borrowed money from the royal treasury. He decided to settle accounts with each of them.
24 As he began the process, it came to his attention that one of his servants owed him one billion dollars. So he summoned the servant before him and said to him, ‘Pay me what you owe me.’
25 When his servant was unable to repay his debt, the king ordered that he be sold as a slave along with his wife and children and every possession they owned as payment toward his debt.
26 The servant threw himself facedown at his master’s feet and begged for mercy. ‘Please be patient with me. Just give me more time and I will repay you all that I owe.’
27 Upon hearing his pleas, the king had compassion on his servant, and released him, and forgave his entire debt.
28 “No sooner had the servant left when he met one of his fellow servants, who owed him twenty thousand dollars He seized him by the throat and began to choke him, saying, ‘You’d better pay me right now everything you owe me!’
29 His fellow servant threw himself facedown at his feet and begged, ‘Please be patient with me. If you’ll just give me time, I will repay you all that is owed.’
30 But the one who had his debt forgiven stubbornly refused to forgive what was owed him. He had his fellow servant thrown into prison and demanded he remain there until he repaid the debt in full.
31″When his associates saw what was going on, they were outraged and went to the king and told him the whole story.
32 The king said to him, ‘You scoundrel! Is this the way you respond to my mercy? Because you begged me, I forgave you the massive debt that you owed me.
33 Why didn’t you show the same mercy to your fellow servant that I showed to you?’
34 In a fury of anger, the king turned him over to the prison guards to be tortured until all his debt was repaid.
35 In this same way, my heavenly Father will deal with any of you if you do not release forgiveness from your heart toward your fellow believer.”
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
Setting the stage.
As we delve into the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, we find ourselves confronted with a profound lesson on the nature of forgiveness, a cornerstone of our Christian faith. This parable, presented by Jesus in response to Peter’s inquiry about the limits of forgiveness, is a powerful reminder of the boundless grace we have received from God and the imperative to extend that same grace to others. It’s a narrative that challenges our understanding of forgiveness and invites us to examine the depths of our hearts in how we deal with those who have wronged us. As we explore this parable, let us open our hearts to the transformative power of Jesus’ teachings. The point of studying the Word of God is to allow it to reshape our perspectives. This parable will help us consider our perspective on mercy, justice, and the radical call to forgive “seventy times seven times” in one day.
1. The Nature of Divine Forgiveness.
— God’s forgiveness is immeasurable and gracious, far beyond human comprehension.
— Just as the king forgave his servant’s enormous debt (a billion dollars), God forgives our sins, which are impossible for us to repay.
— This forgiveness is not based on our merit but on His mercy and love.
— Understanding the magnitude of our forgiven debt is crucial in appreciating God’s grace.
— Our own forgiveness from God should be the model for how we forgive others.
— The parable challenges us to reflect on whether we truly grasp the extent of God’s forgiveness in our lives.
2. The Human Tendency to Withhold Forgiveness.
— Despite being forgiven much, we often struggle to forgive minor offenses against us.
— God has been extremely kind and gracious to us. This parable teaches us that He expects us to be the same way towards others. But the truth is that many Christians, even those who love God, struggle in this area.
— The servant’s refusal to forgive a much smaller debt illustrates our often limited perspective on forgiveness.
— This tendency stems from a heart that has not fully embraced God’s grace.
— Withholding forgiveness can lead to bitterness, anger, and a cycle of pain.
— The parable calls us to self-examination and humility in acknowledging our own shortcomings in forgiving others.
— It’s a reminder that forgiveness is not just an act but a condition of the heart.
3. The Consequences of Unforgiveness.
— The unforgiving servant faced severe consequences for his lack of mercy, mirroring the spiritual consequences we face when we refuse to forgive.
— Unforgiveness can imprison us spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.
— It hinders our relationship with God and with others.
— Harboring unforgiveness in our hearts can make our hearts hard toward God, others, and even ourselves.
— If you hold on to unforgiveness long enough, your heart can grow a root of bitterness, negatively impacting multiple areas of your life.
— The parable warns us that unforgiveness can lead to spiritual torment and separation from God’s presence. The parable says, “In a fury of anger, the king turned him over to the prison guards to be tortured until all his debt was repaid. In this same way, my heavenly Father will deal with any of you if you do not release forgiveness from your heart toward your fellow believer.”
— This parable underscores the seriousness with which God views forgiveness as an integral part of our walk with Him.
— Forgiving others is not optional but a command that reflects our understanding of God’s kingdom.
4. Forgiveness as a Reflection of God’s Character.
— In forgiving others, we mirror the character of God, who is rich in mercy and slow to anger.
— Forgiveness is an act of obedience that aligns us with God’s will.
— It demonstrates the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit working within us.
— Through forgiveness, we become conduits of God’s grace and love in the world. When people encounter us, they encounter God and experience God’s heart through our hearts and actions.
— The parable teaches us that forgiveness is a crucial attribute of a life transformed by Christ.
— It challenges us to be representatives of Christ’s love, extending forgiveness even when it’s complicated.
5. Practical Steps Towards Cultivating a Forgiving Heart.
— Acknowledge the depth of God’s forgiveness towards you and let it be the foundation of your forgiveness towards others.
— Pray for a heart that mirrors God’s heart, one that is quick to forgive and slow to anger.
— Actively choose to forgive, even when our emotions are not in alignment.
— Practice forgiveness as a daily discipline, remembering that it is a journey, not a one-time act.
— Trust God to heal the wounds caused by others and to provide the strength to forgive.
6. Godly Forgiveness Does Not Mean You Must Be Susceptible to Toxic Relationships.
— Seek reconciliation where possible, understanding that forgiveness does not always mean restoration of the relationship.
— Forgiveness makes you healthy. It helps heal your heart. Holding on to unforgiveness causes you to die a slow death in your heart, even though the other person may have already moved on with their life.
— You can forgive and release someone in your heart (freeing you) without allowing them back into your life (if they are not good for you).
— Having a forgiving heart does not mean you must expose yourself to people who are not part of God’s plan for your life.
— Forgiveness helps you maintain a healthy heart and soul while maintaining the boundaries required to become the man/woman God destined you to be.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
I come before You in humility, acknowledging the vastness of Your forgiveness towards me.
Help me, Father, to truly grasp the depth of Your grace and let it be the foundation of my forgiveness towards others.
I confess that I have often struggled to forgive as You have forgiven me. Today, I choose to release any unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment that I have harbored in my heart.
You give me the strength to forgive those who have wronged me, understanding that this reflects Your character and Your command.
You help me to see others through Your eyes of mercy and love. You empower me to forgive freely and unconditionally, just as You have forgiven me.
I trust You to heal my wounds and provide the grace I need to walk in forgiveness daily.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
