Forgiveness

| Sermon Summary by Leslie Nagarajan |

This exegetical sermon on Matthew 18:18-35 focuses on the profound message of forgiveness, emphasizing that we must forgive others as we have been forgiven by God.

The passage highlights the unforgiving servant parable, illustrating the consequences of harbouring resentment and the importance of extending grace to those who have wronged us.

The context:

This incident took place in Capernaum town. The Rabbis taught of forgiving only two or three times which was the religious practice of that time.   Peter wanted to show his righteousness by asking Jesus if he forgives seven times. So he asks Jesus.

Matthew 18:21

Peter inquires about the limits of forgiveness, asking how many times he should forgive a brother or sister who sins against him [18:21]. He initially suggests seven times, but Jesus answers "not seven times, but seventy-seven times," emphasizing the need for unlimited forgiveness [18:21-22].

The parable talks about the accountability of everyone. The story narrated is of a servant who was forgiven a massive debt by his Master.  How massive it was?  Ten thousand talents!. One talent is equal to 6000 denarii and one day daily wage of a labourer is one denarius - Mt: 20:9.  So, an average calculation of annual wages would be 300 denarii  and for earning a talent would be 20 years of labour (300x20= 6000).    Ten thousand talent would be 20x10,000 = 200,000 years, which simply says “ impossible”.   The master forgave the servant.  We all fall into this category of experiencing this massive grace. When accountability comes, we survive by God’s grace.

 The forgiven servant demanded repayment from a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount [18:23-30] which is only 100 denarii i.e. 100 days wages.

The unforgiving servant is thrown into prison for his lack of mercy [18:31-33]. Nothing goes unnoticed in the Kingdom of God both our mercy and unforgiveness.

•          God's Forgiveness and Our Responsibility:

Jesus concludes the parable with a warning: "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart" [18:35].This emphasizes that if we do not extend forgiveness to others, we risk facing God's judgment [18:35].

Exegetical Points and Sermon Application:

•          God's Unconditional Love:

The parable highlights God's boundless grace and forgiveness, emphasizing that He has forgiven us far more than we could ever repay [18:23-35]. This should motivate us to extend the same grace to others [18:23-35].

•          The Consequences of Unforgiveness:

The parable illustrates the destructive nature of unforgiveness, showing how it leads to bitterness, resentment, and ultimately, a broken relationship with God and others [18:31-35].

•          Forgiveness as a Reflection of God's Character and it is not an option but condition for our own forgiveness.

True forgiveness is not a passive act of tolerance but a conscious choice to release the other person from the burden of their wrongdoing [18:35]. It is a reflection of God's character, who has forgiven us abundantly [18:21-35].

•          The Need for Humility and Repentance:

The parable encourages humility and repentance, reminding us that we are all sinners in need of God's grace and that we must seek forgiveness when we have wronged others [18:21-35].

•          Living Out God's Kingdom:

The message of forgiveness is central to living out the teachings of the kingdom of God, where love, mercy, and reconciliation are the guiding principles [18:21-35].

Call to Action:

•          Assess Your Heart:

Reflect on your own capacity to forgive and identify any areas where you struggle to extend grace to others [18:21-35].

•          Seek Forgiveness:

If you have wronged someone, seek their forgiveness and make amends [18:35].

•          Forgive Others:

Challenge yourself to forgive those who have wronged you, allowing God's grace to transform your heart and your relationships [18:21-35].

•          Practice Compassion:

Be mindful of the pain and suffering of others, and extend compassion and understanding, reflecting God's loving nature [18:21-35].