The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:23-35

23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29 Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

I am going to let the parable stand for itself. But briefly apply it to life in families, which fits the themes we have been thinking about all week.

One of the places we get the most profoundly hurt is in our families – parents hurt children, children hurt parents, siblings hurt each other, spouses hurt one another. There is both great joy, but also deep hurt in the life of families. This passage invites us to offer forgiveness to the members of our families who have hurt us, in the same way that Jesus Christ has forgiven us. The first servant owes a debt which is unimaginably large. The king (in Matthew when we hear king we are invited to think Jesus) forgives the debt. But having been forgiven the first servant cannot forgive the second servant a significant (about 4 months wages) but not impossible debt.

There are things family members have done to us that cannot be undone, and for which there is no way to repay. The hurt is real. Even in that situation we are invited to forgive sharing the forgiveness we have received from Jesus Christ.

(I realize that this applies not just to family life, but to all of life.)

PRAYER:

O Lord, we come to you with our families in our hearts and minds. We recognize that our families are not perfect, we recognize that we have hurt others and been hurt ourselves. Help us to share the forgiveness you pour into our lives with our families, so that healing and reconciliation can take place in our families. In Jesus’ name. Amen.