Matthew 18:32-35

New International Version

Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

For Encouragement

Every time I read these words from the Lord; they send a chill down my spine. How can I, therefore, look in the face of Him who showed me so much mercy and grace at the foot of the cross and refuse to forgive anyone who offends me? What offense of the other person is so grave to surpass my rebellion and offenses against Him? Then Paul’s words in Colossians ring behind me: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13). Can I repay Christ for everything I owe?  

I remember the day I ran the fastest sprint in response to an altar call and pleaded for God’s mercy in forgiveness and grace for salvation. I did not deserve either of them, but His love embraced me. God forgave my sins and saved me in Christ. Now, I walk with pride as His son, bearing His name everywhere. I am free from the burden of sin and condemnation. Joy unspeakable has replaced the gloom and chaos of my life, and Christ has kept me by His grace. He has assured me of His inseparable love for me (Rom. 8:35). Mercy and grace define my life, so He always forgives and cleanses me from all unrighteousness when I confess my sins (1 John 1:8). After all this, how can I disobey His command to forgive my offender (Matt, 6: 14-15)? Can you understand why Matthew 18:32-35 remains sobering to me?

Has He not done the same for you? The poignant question is, do I revere God?    

How often did Jesus say we should forgive the one who sins against us? Seventy times seven! (22). Wow!

Difficult? I agree it is. I would be insensitive if I thought otherwise. What is more painful than a spouse’s offense, especially defilement of the marital bed? How could anyone belittle the sting of a trusted confidant who could be a sibling, friend, colleague, or neighbor? Everything in you says, look away and move on with your life. They do not deserve your forgiveness. How can you trust them again?

Legitimate questions and positions—humanly speaking. However, our considerations or assessment are not about us. They are about our Savior, who has called us to obey and live as He did.

My example and strength at such times come from my Lord in Gethsemane when the offense was too heavy and despicable to bear. “Yet not my will, but yours be done” (Lk. 22:42). Then on the cross, He did the ultimate when He said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

No, you say. He is God. I am not. But the indwelling Holy Spirit makes you a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) with the power (Eph.1:18-21) to rise to the height of the Gethsemane victory if you want to honor the Father in Christ. That was the basis of Paul’s appeal to Philemon, asking him to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus (Philemon 1:1-22).

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self (18-19).

Can you hear Jesus saying the same to you?

Can you draw strength from it to forgive that person who has so gravely hurt you?

Shalom