Parables -
Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:21-35
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A couple of days after President Kennedy was tragically gunned down in Dallas, Texas, a Presbyterian church from the state of Michigan wrote to the wife of Lee Harvey Oswald. They had heard that she wished to stay in America and learn the English language. They took it upon themselves to write to her and invite her to come to their community with the promise of finding her a home that she might get a fresh start on a productive life. Unfortunately, many persons both in the local community and from around the nation got wind of this plan and began writing many critical letters about their offer to this widow. One person probably described the situation most correctly when she said, "I never heard of a church doing anything like this before." She knew that forgiveness is not often found even in a group of believers who could probably best be called and known as "sinners anonymous." Forgiveness is so hard.
The minister began the painstaking job of answering each letter that came across his desk that was both unkind and critical of the church's response. With great sensitivity he wrote each person a letter sharing that he understood their feelings and emotions about their efforts on behalf of Mrs. Oswald. However, he ended each letter by sharing, "The only thing you have not shown us is that what we have done would not have been done by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Yes, forgiveness is never easy, but it is the will of God.
Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:
What was one of the worst things your brother or sister ever did to you?
What would you do to celebrate if all of your debts were suddenly canceled?
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant — Mathew 18:21-35
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
23“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of goldh was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.i He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Research Questions — “dig deeper” to find God’s Will
1. What makes true forgiveness so powerful?
2. An “offender” in Jesus' day would forgive up to three times; a 4th offense need not be forgiven. What does Jesus’ answer say about forgiveness in His Kingdom?
3. Do we forgive others so God will forgive us, or does God forgive us so that we will have a forgiving attitude? Explain
4. Based on this Parable, is God's forgiveness of us limited or unlimited? Conditional or unconditional? Likewise, a forgiveness of others?
5. What factors prevent us from being more forgiving of the sins of others?
6. What prevents us from being more forgiving of the sins of others?
7. What did Jesus not mean by 77 times?
8. What did Jesus mean by 77 times?
9. When we fail to forgive our fellow Christian, what do we do to Christ’s work to cleanse and remake people into members of God's Kingdom?
10. How does forgiving others benefit us?
11. How do we reconcile Matthew 18:35 with 18:17?
Reflective Questions — live it today.
1. How can we forgive, yet not encourage, irresponsibility?
2. How can you forgive someone from the distant past who hurt you deeply?
3. What is the connection between forgiveness, health, and wholeness?
4. How does it make you feel to know that God's forgiveness of you is affected by your own forgiveness of others?
5. How would you solve the problem of forgiving someone who didn't even know or care that they hurt you and, so, did not ask for forgiveness?
6. Think of someone you know who needs to be encouraged to forgive another person. Decide how you can encourage them. Then do it.
7. Why is this statement true: “When we do not forgive each other, we completely devalue the crucifixion?”
8. If you heard and admitted alcoholic tearfully ask for forgiveness over and over again, how would you react after the 8th or 9th Time?
9. Visualize yourself at the foot of the cross looking into the suffering eyes of Jesus. Next to you as someone who need your forgiveness. What do you see happening as the scene unfolds?
10. Make a list of people that you need to forgive, and any major whatsoever, and for what.
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