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Matthew 18:23-27
In speaking of forgiveness, Jesus begins teaching a parable in Matthew 18:23. He begins by stating (NKJV), “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like…”, and then Jesus tells of a king who decided it was time to collect all debt owed to him. As one person was unable to pay, the king ordered that this person be sold, along with his family and all his possessions (as was the custom to become what we might call a “hired hand” that lives with and is in subjection to the person the debt is owed until the debt is paid. It was not uncommon that a man and his whole family would fall into this category). But in this case, the man fell down before the king and begged him to be patient with him and he would pay all that is owed (Matthew 18:25-26). The reaction of the king is very important to realize and understand in that as the Bible teaches in Matthew 18:27, the king was, “moved with compassion.” The king showed mercy to the one who was indebted to him, and he forgave him the debt. The king was not required to forgive this man, he did it out of compassion – he had a heart of forgiveness.
This is an example of a forgiving heart that exhibits compassion and mercy to others.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:23a, “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like…” God is not required to forgive our sins, He is not required to show us mercy, He is not required to be compassionate to us for anything that we have done to deserve it…because we don’t. We have rebelled against God through the sinful nature that dwells within each of us. We have done nothing in our sinful lives that is worthy of God to forgive us. It is because of the compassion and mercy that God has for us that forgiveness is possible. We like to, and are prone to hold grudges and require payback when we feel we have been wronged. This is the sinful nature working against us in Satan’s attempt to keep or pull us away from God. But this is where we must keep our focus on Jesus as our Savior in the compassion and mercy He has for us in forgiving us from sin and redeeming us back to a right relationship with God. Jesus forgave us and we did not do anything to deserve it…it was simply God’s love for us – His compassion – His mercy that allows us to be reunited with Him in spirit and be adopted back into His family – to become children of God – in Christ. John 1:12-13 (HCSB) declares, “But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.” The Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Jesus is our King, and He is waiting for you to profess Him the King of your life…and He will forgive your debt…forever…and welcome you into His family as a child of God.
Dear LORD,
The kingdom of heaven is like…forgiveness for all who will come to You in humble obedience and profess Jesus as the King of our lives; to believe in Him will all our heart, soul, and strength. You are faithful and just to forgive sins; please help us to overcome the sinful nature and put our faith in You through the salvation that You provide for us in Christ Jesus – the Savior of the world! In Jesus name I pray, amen.