Parable of the Unmerciful Servant Matthew 18:23-35

Matthew 18:21-22 “21 Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? 22 Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.” Are there limits to God’s mercy?

Matthew 18:23-24 “23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.” Similitude and a day of “reckoning”

Matthew 18:25-27 “25 But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had and payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. 27 And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.” To forgive what cannot be paid back is to have mercy!

Matthew 18:28-30 “28 But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what you owe. 29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due” Implacable and heartless!

“31 So when his fellow-servant saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord called him unto him, and said to him, You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me: should not you also have had mercy on your fellow- servant, even as I had mercy on you? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. 35 So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts” (Matt 18:31-35)

Expectation (vs. 33) The unmerciful servant was nothing like his king (Matthew 7:21-23) We are to be like God (merciful and altogether righteous)

2 Corinthians 3:18 and 5:21 John 14:6-11 “26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens…” (Genesis 1:26) 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 5:21 John 14:6-11

Why was the unmerciful servant unwilling to forgive as did his lord? Unmerciful / not as God – 1 Peter 1:3-4 Selfish / not like God – Isaiah 53 Thought too highly of self / not like God - Luke 22:42 and Philippians 2:3-8

His actions discouraged others (vs 31) 2 Timothy 3:1 Jonah 2:8

Christ mercifully paid our debt of sin because we could not – issue with the Law of Moses Isaiah 53 Those that call out to God for help will be showed mercy (Acts 20:16)

Strive to be like Christ (Romans 8:29) Eyes open to our sin Eyes open to the needs of others A heart prepared to act out of compassion and mercy toward others. We give God thanks for being merciful to us though we have sinned!