“…You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” ~ Matthew 18:32-33
REFERENCE:
This parable will test all your relationships. It is the story of a servant who owed his master a huge sum of money (Greek: uncountable sum), and when he could not pay it back, his master forgave him because he asked him to. This same servant met a fellow servant who owed him a hundred pence, and although the guy begged his forgiveness and patience, he got him locked up in prison until he could pay. The other servants were displeased, and the king was infuriated.
Jesus used this story to teach the concepts of offense, forgiveness, and mercy. We all, like the servant, owed God for our uncountable sins, and what we deserved was to be sold to judgment to repay. No matter how much they sold this servant, it would not suffice; likewise, there is nothing we do that can pay for our sins before God, for the debt of sin is great. However, this wicked servant would not forgive his colleague who owed him so little but held him by the throat, ignored his pleas for mercy and patience, and sent him to jail. When we, the recipients of God’s great mercy, decide not (never) to forgive our fellow man for an offense, we act like this servant. Nothing anybody does to you compares to what we did to God, and He forgave us; so, there is nothing that cannot be forgiven. Take note of these truths:
- The wicked servant knew he owed money but did nothing about it until he was called. If you know you owe or have wronged someone, make a move to make it right or ask for mercy.
- The fellow-servant humbly begged. If you cannot pay your debt, be polite to your creditor. Don’t owe someone and yet get angry at them because they ask you to pay back.
- The master forgave and released him. Forgiveness is freedom. It frees men from judgment, guilt, and the need to pay back. If you forgive one man, you can positively affect his family.
- ‘Throw him in prison.’ Unforgiveness imprisons; it imprisons both the offender and the offended. The servant jailed his fellow servant, and the same fate befell him also.
- Unforgiveness puts us at risk of forfeiting God’s mercy. It is offensive to fellow believers, obnoxious to God, and can remove your grace covering and bring you under the law.
The most powerful phrase in this parable is, Just as I had pity on you. We have God as an example of forgiveness. If you are reading this, you have been a recipient of God’s great mercy, the least you can do is reach out with forgiveness to that person.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Ephesians 4:32 & Matthew 6:14-15
REFLECTION:
Reach out to everyone you harbor unforgiveness against; forgive them and pray for them sincerely from your heart that good will come to them. In the same way, forgive yourself and accept God’s love and forgiveness. Choose to live free from today, pay back all you owe, retain your Grace cover and live as the forgiven while forgiving others.
Father, I ask for the wisdom of communication and to manage relationships well. Keep me from unrealistic expectations. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and your love Father, I forgive as I have been forgiven in Jesus Name Amen.
Forgiveness does one much more good than the person that is forgiven, there is a peace that comes with it. It’s a win win situation.
I pray for the grace and the strenght to forgive at all times, in all situations. Amen!
Offences must come but I choose forgiveness.
I’ve been forgiven by God to forgive others.
There’s nothing that can’t be forgiven.
I receive more grace to live in love and forgiveness towards my neighbours in Jesus’ name 🙏🏻
Lord, I pray for a heart like Yours.
Humility to ask for forgiveness and accept apologies.
Kindness to give a second chance and to release debtors.
Grace to love and to keep on loving.
IN JESUS’ NAME.
Forgiveness is freedom! Amen.