1. Forgiveness
Advent Week 3
Matthew 18:21-35

2. A Story About Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 (msg)
21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” 22 Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven “The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market “The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

3. Peter’s Question
Judaism taught forgiving THREE Times displayed a “Forgiving Spirit” based on Amos 1:3, 2:6, Job 33:29-30.
Habitual Sin
Jewish teaching encouraged forgiveness x3
However on the 4th offense no forgiveness was to be offered except on the day of atonement (once a year).
Background picture is the picture of the woman caught in Adultery
Jesus writing in the sand, giving everyone a moment to stop & allow their heads to clear for a moment
Whenever we speak about forgiveness almost in the same breath we need to speak about where to “Cap It”
Most people will offer forgiveness to someone who makes a mistake
Not many of us want to be taken advantage off.
For God how much is too much?
Jesus is setting up the Kingdom now

4. King wants to settle “accounts” This is a euphemism for “Judgement”
The Unmerciful Servant by Eugene Burnard (1850 – 1921)
King wants to settle “accounts”
This is a euphemism for “Judgement”
God was seen as a Judge, who loved Holiness more than anything else
10,000 Tallents HYBOLIC
A silver talent was 75 pounds
Valued at 6000 Denarii
1 Days wage was one Denarri
Were talking Billions if not hundreds of billions of dollars
King puts his entre family into slavery as was his right
Debtor pleads for forgiveness & the king quickly & miraculously grants forgiveness
THE KING IS THE ONE WHO HAS CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THE STORY

5. 28 “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’
29-31 “The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32-35 “The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”

6. What Will He Do With His Freedom?
The Unmerciful Servant by Eugene Burnard (1850 – 1921)
What Will He Do With His Freedom?
2nd Servant owes 100 Denarii
(100 days of work)
Reproduction of events, different outcome
Getting thrown into Debtors Prison was a more severe punishment than slavery
“. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.”
The 1st servant then gets the punishment he set out for the 2nd servant
“Turned over to the jailors, debtors prison”