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Matthew 18:23-35 The Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant

Setting  Likely in Capernaum (Galilee) 17:24  Toward middle of 3rd preaching year  The disciples wonder “Who is the greatest in the kingdom?” v. 1  Jesus’ reply is a discourse on various topics displaying “greatness” vv The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

Setting  Discourse re: “greatness” vv  To be like a child vv. 2-6  Not a stumbling block to others vv  Restore believers gone astray vv  Forgiving others vv  Peter questions re: forgiving vv The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Parable  A story is best divided into 3 “scenes”  Each “scene” contains incredible events almost too incredible to believe Scene 1 Ù vv Scene 2 Ù vv Scene 3 Ù vv The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Parable  A king settles accounts with his slaves  One slave owes him 10,000 talents  Having no means to repay, the king orders him, his family, & all belongings to be sold The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 1 vv

The Parable  The slave begged for patience, time to repay everything  The king was moved with compassion… forgave all the debt v. 27 The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 1 vv

The Parable  This forgiven slave finds another slave who owes him 100 denarii  The 1st slave treats him harshly  The 2nd slave begs for patience, time to repay everything…just like the 1st slave The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 2 vv

The Parable  The 1st slave is unwilling to show mercy  He wants the 2nd slave to be imprisoned until all his debt is repaid The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 2 vv

The Parable  Other slaves witness & grieve over how the 1st slave treated the 2nd slave  They reported all to the king  The king rebukes the “wicked” 1st slave and reminds him of how he was forgiven when he “entreated” the king The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 3 vv

The Parable  The king’s expectation of the 1st slave –  He was to have had compassion on his fellow slave  He had been shown mercy re: a much larger debt The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 3 vv

The Parable  The king was now moved with anger  He ordered the previously forgiven 1st slave to be tortured until all his debt was repaid The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 Scene 3 vv

The Application  Value of 10,000 talents … unpayable  1 talent = 6,000 denarii (6,000 days’ pay)  ISBE (published in 1939) states the value of 1 gold talent = $30,750  1939 value of 10,000 talents… (if gold) $307,500,000 !! The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application  For what did the 1st slave beg?  King’s patience…time to repay all  What did the king know?  The debt was unpayable  What did the 1st slave receive?  Complete forgiveness !! The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application  Value of 100 denarii  Approx. 1/3 of yearly wages  Challenging to repay such a debt?  Could such a debt be repaid? (with time & patience) The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application  For what did the 2nd slave beg?  Fellow slave’s patience…time to repay all  What did the 1st slave know?  The debt was payable over time  What did the 2nd slave receive?  NO mercy, forgiveness !! The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application  The king’s rightful demand? v. 25  Based on the 1st slave’s behavior, the king was inclined to show mercy v. 27  Why would the king change his mind from mercy to wrath? v. 34  The 1st slave’s lack of mercy The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application  Some think showing forgiveness is like filling up a container…there comes a point when “enough is enough”  Peter’s statement v. 21  What does Jesus teach…is there a “limit? v. 22 Lk 17:3-4 The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application  There is no “quota” re: forgiveness  70 X 7 stood for infinity…not “490”  Mercy is a quality …not a quantity  The main problem with us is that we want to live with God under grace, and with our fellow man under justice The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

The Application The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 In Myself  Sin  Meanness  Harshness  Selfishness In Others  A mistake, fault  Mischief  Frankness  Thriftiness

The Application  We must forgive others because God forgave us !! Mt 5:7 6:12 7:1-2 Eph 4:32 Col 3:  There is no other way to understand and apply this parable Mt 18:33 The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

Parable Particulars The king= 1st slave= 2nd slave= 1st Debt= 2nd Debt= The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35 GOD A sinner (Me) Another sinner (You) My sin against GOD Your sin against me

The Lesson  Do I realize the magnitude of my debt (sin) towards GOD? (unpayable)  Yet, I know I need mercy  Do I show no mercy for others’ debts (sin) towards me? (payable)  Yet, I extend no mercy to others The Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35

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