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The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Date: Sep 05, 2010

Pastor: Christopher Coffman

Series: The Parables

Passage: Matthew 18:21-35

A Difficult Call to Forgiveness
Throughout our series on the parables of Jesus we’ve learned that Christ’s teachings always do two things. First, Jesus’ parables are meant to grab our attention—which explains why the parables of Christ are chalk full of intense imagery and illustrations. Jesus wants to jostle us out of our spiritual slumber! Unless Christ wakes us up and arrests our full attention, we’ll never truly hear and understand the truth of the Gospel. However, Christ’s parables are not simply truths to be understood—they are truths that call us to take action. Now, to be honest, some of the actions that Christ calls us to take in the parable are extremely difficult…and even scary for many of us! Such is the case with the parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew’s Gospel. This week, as you consider this parable, carve out some time to reflect on the following five things:

  1. Christ wants you to take an honest inventory of those who’ve offended you. Who has sinned against you (Matt 18:15)? How have they specifically sinned against you?
  2. Christ wants you to take an honest inventory of your heart. Are you angry, bitter, or resentful toward those who have sinned against you?
  3. Christ wants you to release your heart to Him. Do you trust that God the only One merciful enough to handle your heart?
  4. Christ wants you to release those who sinned against you to Him. Do you trust that God the only One just enough to handle those who offended you?
  5. Christ wants you to take practical, prayerful action. Is there a difficult conversation you need to have with someone whose hurt you? Do you need to forgive this person face to face or from afar? Do you need to ask someone close to you for forgiveness?