Forgiven People Forgive People
READ Matthew 18:21-35
Have you ever found yourself replaying a hurt in your mind, struggling to let it go? Maybe someone said something behind your back, or somehow broke your trust, and the pain just sticks with you. You’re not alone - Peter had something like that in mind when he came to Jesus.
He asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, an I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Vs. 21). Peter thought he was bring gracious. After all, the rabbis taught you only needed to forgive three times. So when he says this, I think he’s expecting Jesus to say, “Well done!” But instead, Jesus says, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Vs. 22). Blowing the doors off Peter’s number.
Then Jesus tells a parable that hits hard - the story of the unforgiving servant.
This servant owed an impossible debt - ten thousand talents. That’s more than he could pay back in a lifetime. To put that in perspective let’s figure our how much money that would be today. A talent is a unit of weight, usually used for silver or gold. One talent equaled about 75 pounds of precious metal.
10,000 talents x 75 pounds = 750,000 pounds of silver
Now today, silver and gold are measured in ounces.
750,000 pounds x 16 ounces = 12 million ounces
Silver is roughly $28 per ounce.
12 million ounces x $28 = $336 million in silver.
Can you imagine owing that amount of money to someone? But, in our story, the king is moved with compassion, and forgives him the debt - completely. You’d expect that kind of grace to change a person. But what does the servant do next? He goes out and grabs another servant who owes him around $12 to $15 thousand dollars in today’s terms - certainly a significant amount of money, but a drop in the bucket compared to $336 million. But, the servant doesn’t extend the grace he received, in stead, he grabs the one who owes him money demanding payment and shows him no mercy.
Jesus uses this story to show just how seriously God takes forgiveness. We’ve been forgiven an unplayable debt because Jesus paid it for us - with His own blood on the cross. And now, we’re called extend that same mercy to others.
I’m reminded of the story of Joseph from Genesis 50:15-21:
Remember that story? Joseph is sold into slavery by his own brothers. Lied about. Forgotten in prison. Yet when he rose to power and had every opportunity for revenge, he forgave. When his brothers feared he’d retaliate, Joseph said, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” (Gen. 50:20) And Joesph sent on to provide for them when they needed him most.
What a powerful picture of mercy. Jospeh didn’t ignore the hurt, but he chose to view it through God’s greater plan. That’s the kind of forgiveness Jesus is calling us to - one that sees beyond the offense and trusts God with justice.
Before this parable, Jesus gave instructions about how to deal with conflict in the church (Matthew 18:15-20). Jesus isn’t saying we overlook sin or sweep issues under the rug - He gives us a loving and clear process to work things out. But forgiveness must be at the heart of it all. Jesus isn’t interested in surface-level peace; He’s after hearts that reflect His grace.
Why Forgiveness Matters:
Forgiveness isn’t’ just about the other person - it’s about your own heart. Unforgiveness becomes a prison, and Jesus wants to set us free. Paul echoes this in Ephesians 4:32: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” We don’t forgive because people deserve it - we forgive because we didn’t deserve it, and Jesus forgave us anyway.
A Question to ponder:
Is there someone you need to forgive today - not because they deserve it, but because Jesus has forgiven you?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and for forgiving me of a debt I could never repay. Help me to extend that same mercy to others. Give me the strength to release bitterness, to trust You with justice, and to walk in the freedom of grace. Teach me to forgive like You. In Jesus name, Amen.
