The Unforgiving Servant: A Glaring Disconnect
Matthew 18:21-35
1. Background/Context
• restoration of believers (18:10-14; 15-20)
• Peter’s question and the response of Jesus (18:21-22)
• Peter’s question and the response of Jesus (18:21-22)
2. The King/Master and His Servant (23-27)
• King/Master wishes to settle accounts
• servant owes 10,000 talents: 1 talent = 20 years’ wages for a laborer
• servant sentenced and servant pleads
• King/Master forgives
• servant owes 10,000 talents: 1 talent = 20 years’ wages for a laborer
• servant sentenced and servant pleads
• King/Master forgives
3. The Servant and His Fellow-Servant (28-30)
• servant seeks to settle account
• fellow-servant owes 100 denarii: 1 denarius = 1 day’s wages for a laborer
• servant demands payment and fellow-servant pleads
• servant refuses to forgive
• fellow-servant owes 100 denarii: 1 denarius = 1 day’s wages for a laborer
• servant demands payment and fellow-servant pleads
• servant refuses to forgive
4. Summoned by the King/Master (31-34)
• report made to the King/Master
• the servant confronted and condemned
• the servant confronted and condemned
5. The Commentary of Jesus (35)
• so also…
• forgiveness from the heart
• forgiveness from the heart
6. So What?
• Those who enjoy God’s forgiveness are obligated to extend it to others.
• One key mark of the truly forgiven is their extension of forgiveness to others.
• Throw out the calculator!
• “In Lovingkindness Jesus Came” (C. Gabriel)
• One key mark of the truly forgiven is their extension of forgiveness to others.
• Throw out the calculator!
• “In Lovingkindness Jesus Came” (C. Gabriel)