Thursday November 12
Matthew 18:21-35
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then 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?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since 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.’ 27 The 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. 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. 31 When 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. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In 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.”
The last verse of this story from the lips of Jesus is pretty harsh isn’t it? I guess forgiveness really matters to God. In fact lack of forgiveness shows up many times in the teaching of Jesus as a serious offense against God.
Reflect
Questions
How do you tend to rationalize being unforgiving? Who is someone you find it hard to forgive? Why?
Prayer
Almighty God you know how hard it is to forgive. Jesus even forgave those who nailed him to the cross (including me.) So right now I invite your Holy Spirit to live in me and change my heart so that I become more and more forgiving. I know I don’t deserve your grace - so I should be quick to share a gracious attitude with those around me. Help me today. In Jesus’ name - Amen.
Memory Verse
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT
Share
Who is someone who forgave you? Have you told them thank you lately?
Pray for each other.
DFM Nation
Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will conclude the Overcomer Series with a message about overcoming wrath and anger with forgiveness. Join us and bring a friend.
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