Introduction
In the Bible, there is a powerful parable about forgiveness found in the book of Matthew. In Matthew 18:21-35, we learn about The Forgiving King, who shows mercy to a servant who owes him a great debt. This story teaches us about the importance of forgiveness and the consequences of holding onto grudges. Let's dive into this story and explore its valuable lessons on forgiveness and compassion.
People
1. The Forgiving King
The Forgiving King in the parable represents God, who forgives us of our sins and expects us to forgive others in return. He shows mercy and compassion to his servant who owes him a large debt, but becomes angry when the servant does not show the same forgiveness to his fellow servant.
2. The Servant who Owes a Debt
This servant owes a huge debt to the Forgiving King, which he could never repay. He pleads for mercy and the King forgives his debt out of compassion. However, when he encounters a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller debt, he refuses to forgive him and has him thrown into prison.
3. The Fellow Servant
This fellow servant owes a small debt to the first servant, who refuses to forgive him and has him thrown into prison. Despite pleading for mercy and patience, he is not shown the same forgiveness that he himself received from the Forgiving King.
Events
The Unforgiving Servant
Once there was a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owed him a huge amount of money, so the king ordered that the servant, his wife, and his children be sold to repay the debt.
The Servant's Plea
The servant fell to his knees and begged the king for more time to repay the debt. The king was moved with compassion and forgave the servant's debt completely.
The Unforgiving Servant
After being forgiven, the servant went out and found another servant who owed him a small amount of money. He demanded payment and when the servant couldn't pay, he had him thrown into prison.
The King's Wrath
Other servants witnessed the unforgiving servant's actions and reported back to the king. The king was furious and summoned the servant back to him.
The King's Rebuke
The king chastised the servant for his lack of mercy after he had been forgiven so much. He then handed the unforgiving servant over to the jailers to be tortured until he could repay his debt.
The Moral of the Story
Jesus tells this parable to illustrate the importance of forgiveness. Just as the king forgave the servant's debt, so too should we forgive others who wrong us. Forgiveness is not optional; it is a commandment from God.
Forgive Others
Jesus emphasizes that forgiveness is not just a one-time act, but an ongoing attitude. We must be willing to forgive others repeatedly, just as God forgives us constantly.
Release Resentment
When we hold onto anger and resentment, it only harms us in the end. Forgiveness allows us to release that negative energy and move forward in peace and love.
Receive God's Forgiveness
By extending forgiveness to others, we open ourselves up to receiving God's forgiveness as well. It is a cycle of grace that brings healing and restoration to all involved.
Live in Forgiveness
Ultimately, living a life of forgiveness brings us closer to God and to one another. It is a powerful testimony of God's love and mercy working in and through us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the parable of The Forgiving King teaches us the importance of showing forgiveness to others. Just as the king in the story forgave his servant's huge debt, we should also be willing to forgive those who have wronged us. By extending grace and mercy to others, we can experience the freedom that comes from letting go of anger and resentment. Let us strive to follow the example of the forgiving king and show compassion to those around us.