The Parables of Jesus - The Unforgiving Servant

We cannot say that we love God if we refuse to forgive those whom we see.

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Pastor Karim

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to this new episode of the Gospel for the Nations podcast. This podcast has been brought to you by Pastor Kareem. Our desire is to open the Word of God with you and to speak in a way that is clear, simple, and full of grace. Wherever you are listening from, we pray that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart through his word, strengthen your faith, and draw you closer to Jesus.

SPEAKER_02 0:25

So now that we have this place, so we continue the journey through the parables. So we are reaching the parable number 15. So the name of the parable is called the Unforgiving Servant. It is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 18, verse 21 to 35. If you want Bibles, you know that we have some available for you. So the theme we are going to see in today's parable is of a great importance because when we have passed from death to life through the narrow gate, which is Jesus Christ, the one that leds to life, leads to life. We have been washed from our sins by his precious blood, and by the grace of God, we have been justified before him. Not because we are righteous, but because we believe in the righteous one. And because we believe in the righteous one, God sees us and he justifies us. This divine work is the one willed by God to reconcile us to himself. Because he loved us first. He calls us to turn away from our ways of iniquity, our wicked ways, so that we would no longer be condemned, but delivered from the power of sin that works in us. A condition that began when humanity was separated from God through Adam and Eve, who consciously consciously disobeyed God, seeking to be like Him. I want to know this fruit from this tree. Yes, by faith in Jesus Christ and repentance toward God, we receive forgiveness of our sins. Yes. This forgiveness is complete, but it is not obtained by a human effort. It is a grace of God received by faith and accompanied by sincere repentance. A repentance that comes from the heart that turns away from sin and turns toward God, the things of God. Thus, this grace is given to us according to the sovereign will of God, not by our own ability, but by the work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts, regenerates, and builds the church of Christ. The one that recognizes his voice and follows him despite circumstances. The Lord says, I will build my church. So then, what should we do with this forgiveness from God? What is this grace that has been given to us? And why does God forgive us? This is exactly the question that Peter is going to ask Jesus. Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times, and it is in response to this question that Jesus teaches the parable of the unforgiving servant. Amen? Just to give the context, this is the beginning of the parable. So then Peter came up and said to him, so to Jesus, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many have seven times, Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but seventy seven times. Not seventy-seven, seventy seven times. Peter asks this question to Jesus after a few passages earlier in the same chapter, where he speaks about coming to him like children. Like children in humility and trust. But also about dealing with sin in the assemblies of believers. Giving a clear and detailed process of how brothers and sisters must act. In love, reconciliation, restoration of the sinner in a path of repentance and forgiveness. Yes, Jesus clearly emphasizes repentance in this process of restoration. Because without repentance, the relationship cannot be fully restored. Changing our ways. This is repentance. However, the forgiveness in the heart of the one who has been offended must not be conditioned by repentance. But must remain a constant disposition before God. See the difference? Confessing our offenses shows that the heart humbles itself and opens itself before the other. If this act is not present, Jesus explains that it will lead to serious consequences. A distance in fellowship after a long loving and caring process. Not as a final rejection, but as the recognition of the lack of repentance. And therefore a consequence of the condition of the heart. A temporary break in visible fellowship allowed by God for a time of restoration and reconciliation. Therefore, it is not the fault of those who apply this process that should be pointed out, but rather the person who persists in rebellion despite the many opportunities given to confess and humble themselves with a sincere heart before the brothers and sisters. It's a caring process, allowed by God. And it is Jesus that teaches us this process. Then comes this question from Peter. A zealous and impulsive disciple. This was Peter. Often at the front, whether he stepped out of the boat to go toward Jesus while walking under water, or when he gave his first sermon at Pentecost by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was Peter. Was he perfect? No. But Peter wants to know what the limit of forgiveness should be, which is a genuine question. How far we must go in forgiving those who have offended us. So in Jewish tradition, the number seven symbolizes the fullness and the perfection. It is often used in the Bible to express something complete. God completed creation. Seven days. Seven days was the day of rest. But it was part of the creation. When Peter suggests forgiving up to seven times, it already shows a certain generosity. You know why? Because at that time, some rabbinic teachings limited forgiveness to three times. So when Peter said seven, he was already overpassing. This question prepares Jesus' teaching. Yes, it will show that forgiveness must have no limit. Not as a simple infinite calculation, but as the expression of a heart transformed by the grace of God. So when Jesus answers seventy-seven times, he brings an even deeper understanding of forgiveness. Not as a number to reach, but as a way to break every human logic of counting. And to reveal the greatness of God's forgiveness. If the Spirit of God lives in us, his character must be reflected in our lives. This is the whole purpose of sanctification, to be progressively transformed by the work of the Spirit. So that we reflect the character of Christ, even in very practical things like forgiveness. Now we're gonna read the parable. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. For the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, have passion with me, and I will pay you everything. Out of pity for him, the master of that servant, released him and forgave him the debt. Amen. So first we see that this is about a kingdom governed and ruled by a king. This king has the authority and the power to judge, to condemn, but also to show grace. So when the king calls his servants, it is not first to show grace, not at all, but to settle accounts. To establish justice, to show his authority in his kingdom. To settle accounts means that the king calculates what his servant owes. And one of them is found owing ten thousand talents. But do we understand when what ten thousand talents really represents? And I'm going to tell you. This is the meaning. So when the servant realizes that the king orders him and his whole family to be sold, and he understands the consequence of his debt, he falls down on his knees, begs for patience, and pleads before him, still thinking he can repay everything. It is impossible. But the text shows something central. The king is moved with compassion. And he forgives him all the debt. This first part of the parable brings us directly into the compassion and the love of God toward those whom He has chosen and called by His Spirit. Through faith in Jesus Christ, his beloved Son. This debt was far too heavy and impossible to repay. In order for us to come near the majesty and the holiness of God. But only His grace could deliver us. This death represents our sin, our rebellion, all addictions, all foolish things that we have placed us, that have placed us in a position opposed to the King of Heaven. It is when we humble ourselves, when we turn from our sinful ways, touched by the message of the gospel, that sincere and visible repentance is expressed. And we receive the forgiveness and life. We receive it because we bow on our knees. Now let us see how this servant, though forgiven, acts toward others after receiving such a great forgiveness. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who hold him a hundred denari. And seizing him, he began to shock him, saying, Pay what you owe. So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, have patience with me, and I will pay you. He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. Amen. As soon as we read this, we feel a deep sense of injustice. How can a man who has just been forgiven such an enormous debt refuse to forgive such a small one? And why such violence? There is here a strong contrast intentionally given by Jesus. To show how the human heart forgets and seeks to bring justice by itself. I do my justice. This servant wants to establish his own justice. You have to repay. I can't, I put you in prison. To satisfy his own sense of vengeance. But this does not change his heart. This is just an external fact. What about a heart? The Bible teaches that justice belongs to God. Nothing can truly heal a wounded heart unless it is transformed by the Holy Spirit. Nothing can heal the heart. Often we receive a favor from God, but we quickly forget what He has done for us. This is the heart of the message. If our hearts are not transformed, we do not reflect God's character. What the passage tells us is simple. If we have not understood, this is important, if we have not understood the compassion and the mercy of God toward us, we cannot show the same compassion and mercy to others. Everything begins with the love of God first, and then flows toward others. We see again that these two greatest commandments are reflected in this parable. Love God and love others. Isn't it beautiful? So when his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. The reaction of the other servants is strong and even striking. They are deeply grieved by what they have seen. Wow! I couldn't imagine. We can see here an image of the church. Sid is not something that leaves us indifferently, indifferent. And it is not ignored, it affects the body, and it is brought before the Lord. This is the image applying to the church. We may see situations like a brother or a sister among us commits sins against God and against others. So the first response is not judgment, but to bring this before the Father in prayer. This is the message. To place this situation in his hands and to intercede for this situation. Lord, you take care of it, guide us in the spirit and the truth. In the parable, this is a physical action. They go and report it to the master. But in our case, it begins as a spiritual response before God. We pray. Yes, we pray. But if necessary, it may also take a visible form through the action of man and woman of God for the edification and the correction of the body of Christ, which is his church. This is what we have to do. First, we rely on God, and then we move according to the situations. So this reminds us that we are not called to ignore sin, but neither are we called to deal with it in our own way. We bring it before God first, and we act according to his will with humility, trust, and love. Then his master summoned him and said to him, You wicked servant, I forgave you all that death because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you, and in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly father will do everyone, will do to everyone of you. If you do not forgive your brother, of course, sister, from your heart. Remember, I forgive you. I had compassion. The word all is important because it shows that the debt was completely forgiven. Not just one. He didn't say, let's do some instalments to pay back. And I take three percent. So the servant has nothing to say, of course not. He cannot answer because the facts are clear. The master simply shows him that what he received he didn't show to the others. We also see that the text speaks first of a king, then not of a master. But this does not change anything. It is the same authority, it is the same person. So this reminds us that we have a master, and as servants, we are called to reflect his character in our words and actions. Yes, the master is angry because of his lack of compassion and mercy. Because of his hardness and his violence. He chose to act according to his own justice, and this led him to judgment. So this last verse brings us face to face with the serious reality. The way we forgive shows what we have understood about the forgiveness we have experienced and truly understood through the grace of God. This infinite, unmerited favor that saves us from eternal separation from God. When we receive forgiveness, we are justified. So these jailers can also be understood as the consequences of our actions, but connected to the condition of our deceitful heart. The action brings also consequences. But we have to forgive. God allows in order to correct us and to transform us. He does it with love. Any suffering is temporary for the one who truly repents, who humbles themselves before God, and who turns back from their ways. We say we do. We repent and we act. Like the prodigal son who returns to the Father. After living with everything he had, God is there with open arms. For everyone who comes back to him with a sincere heart and a desire to love him fully. That is to say, when we have confessed our sins and repented before the Father, He forgives us. In the same way, when the brother or a sister confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, and repents to our God, we have to forgive. As God has forgiven us. And this shows the reflection of God's character in our lives. Amen. So to conclude, we have seen an immense debt, a complete forgiveness, and yet a heart that refuses to forgive. This text brings us face to face with the reality. The way we forgive reveals what we have understood about grace, about his grace of salvation. If we all beg forgiveness, if we keep bitterness, if we refuse to forgive, it shows that we need to come back to the cross and ask for forgiveness. And the word of God confronts us clearly. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him. Whoever loves God must also love his brother. If we say that we love God, we have to love others. Because we understand how God loved us. We cannot say that we love God if we refuse to forgive. But also forgiveness restores us before God. But it does not always remove the consequences of our actions. If you kill someone, you repent, you'll be forgiven, but you will have to jail. We are forgiven, yet we may still reap what we have sown. That's what the Bible says. And even in those consequences, God works to correct us, to humble us, and to transform our hearts. But the grace of God is still there. It is sufficient to transform us and it causes us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Whether it is a brother or a sister or anyone created at the image of God. Yes. Because they are still God's creation. It may be difficult and even painful, but only through the divine and supernatural work of the Holy Spirit can we walk in victory. Amen. Not by our own strength, but by God's strength who lives in us. So what can we learn and apply from this passage? I am sorry, it's a bit small, but uh is it okay? Okay. I'm gonna read it anyway.

SPEAKER_00 39:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 39:57

So Jesus is the forgiving king and master. And we are to be forgiving servants and brethren. So also, my heavenly father will do to every one of you if we do not forgive your brother from your heart, Jesus is the compassionate King and Master. We are to be compassionate servants and brethren, and out of pity from him, the master of that servant, release him and forgave him the debt. Compassion is seeing others. This is very important. Compassion is seeing others through the lens of grace. As we have been seen with compassion. It is to say that we have to see people as God sees us. Jesus is the merciful king and master. So we have to be merciful servants and brethren. Mercy is choosing to give what others do not deserve. Wow, this is a strong one. Just as we have received mercy from the Lord. I'm gonna say it again. Mercy is choosing to give what all others do not deserve. Wow. This one is very difficult. Jesus is the watchful king and master. So we are to be also watchful servants and brethren. Then his master summoned him and said to him, You wicked servant. Watchfulness is having spiritual discernment within the body, caring for one another in truth, humility, and love. This is watchfulness. We watch altogether the body of Christ. Once again, it is not a question about us, it is a question about Christ. Do we serve or deserve Christ? This is the question. Amen. So this is the message of today about forgiveness, compassion, mercy. Be watchful with one another. Let's close in prayer. Amen. Heavenly Father, Almighty and Sovereign God. First of all, we thank you for your word, for your grace that allows us to know you, to worship you in the spirit and the truth in this new place. We know that you are a merciful and compassionate God. We ask you to open our hearts to understand how you have loved us so that we may love and forgive our brothers and sisters and even those who offend us by the help of your Holy Spirit. Keep us on your narrow path and continue to sanctify us and transform us. We thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, as the head of this church. To you be all the glory and the praise for you loved us first. You gave your beloved Son for us while we were still sinners in our transgressions. We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 45:04

Thank you for listening today. If the Lord used this message to bless you, feel free to share it, so others can also be encouraged and strengthened for the coming days. Keep seeking Him, keep reading His Word, and keep trusting His grace every single day.