Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35     

I have just outlined my sermons through the end of the Christian liturgical year, which culminates on Reign of Christ Sunday, November 22. I will continue to preach from the Gospel according to Matthew every Sunday between now and then. I am mindful of the fact that this takes us through a momentous presidential election during an unprecedented pandemic. And I am amazed by how relevant and helpful God’s Word is and will be during these coming Sundays.

This week, we read Matthew 18:21-35. This is the last teaching within the fourth of five discourses by Jesus, recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. This discourse focuses on life in the community of faith, and on leadership in the community.

The overarching message in Matthew 18:21-35 is grace. The balance of judgment and forgiveness is to tip toward forgiveness. Jesus tells Peter not to forgive sins a time or two, but “seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). Do you think Jesus literally means we have to keep count, and stop forgiving someone after 77 tries? If this is not literal, what is Jesus’ point?

The parable dramatizes the magnitude of God’s forgiveness. See if you can find a contemporary monetary equivalence for “ten thousand talents” (v. 24) and “a hundred denarii” (v. 28). What does this contrast seek to highlight about God? About the forgiven slave who won’t forgive? Us?

If you had an unpayable debt unilaterally forgiven, how would you feel toward the one who forgives you? How would you seek to honor the cancellation of your debt? How does this apply to you today?