Matthew 18:32-34

Forgiveness is easier to say than to actually wish them God’s blessing.

We who have been forgiven much…need to be willing to forgive those in our lives that have caused us, or our family, pain. And to forgive ourselves for past pain that we have brought on others. Gods’ love covers a multitude of hurt!

Help me Father to be as loving, forgiving and compassionate as You.

Matthew 18:32-35

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Apparently in response to Jesus’ statement in verse 15, Peter asks about the limitations of forgiveness. Jesus replies that he should forgive lavishly. This prompts the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Since God has lavishly forgiven Jesus’ disciples, they should continuously extend that same forgiveness. This is the point of Jesus’ parable. The man’s debt was insurmountable; once in jail, he would not be able to make restitution. Faithlife Bible

This parable reiterates the principle that we should forgive others because God forgives us. Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. NKJ Bible.

The greatness of sin magnifies the riches of pardoning mercy; and the comfortable sense of pardoning mercy, does much to dispose our hearts to forgive our brethren. We are not to suppose that God actually forgives men, and afterwards reckons their guilt to them to condemn them; but this latter part of the parable shows the false conclusions many draw as to their sins being pardoned, though their after-conduct shows that they never entered into the spirit, or experienced the sanctifying grace of the gospel. We do not forgive our offending brother aright, if we do not forgive from the heart. Yet this is not enough; we must seek the welfare even of those who offend us. How justly will those be condemned, who, though they bear the Christian name, persist in unmerciful treatment of their brethren! The humbled sinner relies only on free, abounding mercy, through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for forgiveness from him. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Mark 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.