Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants, And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that you owe. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty-two of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told how the king called the unforgiving man, “O you wicked servant” where we read:
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant,
I forgave you all that debt, because thou desired me:
The verse reads, “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, ...”. Matthew began with the word, “then” or “at that time and moment” “his lord” which means “the servant's master and person to whom he belonged about which he had power of deciding”, “after that he had called him” or “the master bid and summoned the servant appear before him”, “said unto him” which means “uttered, proclaimed and declared to the servant who owed such a large debt and was forgiven”, “O you wicked servant” or “you bad natured, diseased, blind and evil slave or one who performs servile work”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master of the servant beckoned him to appear before him and called him an evil and bad natured “servant”.
The verse goes on to say, “... I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me:” Matthew continued with the words, “I forgave you” or “the king and master disregarded and neglected the servant's” “all that debt” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of that which was owed, due and obligated”, “because” which means “since and on account that” “you desired me” which means “the servant wanted, summoned and entreated the master and king”. Matthew wrote how Jesus said the master of the servant reminded him of his “forgiveness of debt” because the servant implored him to do so.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the king reminded his servant of the great debt he forgave him because he asked him to do so. Most people can relate to this servant as they desire “forgiveness” for their errors, mistakes and wrongs, however, when it comes to others who have offended them, they are not as forgiving. Jesus Christ came to forgive “every sin” (See 1 John 1:7), and though the sins and trespasses are many, there are none too many or great for Him to forgive. God desires that we be like Him and forgive. Perhaps there are people who are reading these words that are reminded of those who have offended them, and if so, there is no better place to begin than right now to “forgive” everyone who has sinned against them.
Next time Matthew shares how the king asked, “should not you also have had compassion on your fellow-servant”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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