The King Is Settling His Accounts!
For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. (Matthew 18:23)
The setting for today’s verse is in response to a question Peter asked Jesus.
“Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?” Jesus responds, “Not seven times, but I tell you as many as seventy-seven times. For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.”
Jesus goes on to share about a man who owed the king a debt that is comparable to our national debt. The king forgave him! That man had a surprising reaction.
Having received that great gift, he sought out a person who owed him a very small debt in comparison and demanded payment. When he couldn’t pay up, he had him thrown in jail.
When the king found out about his servant’s actions, he recalled him into his presence. Chiding him for his lack of mercy, the king now required payment for the servant’s unpayable debt. His master was angry and handed him over to the jailers until he could pay back everything he owed.
Jesus adds, “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
Jesus is coming again. The King of kings has won a verdict for us. He took all our sins to the cross and paid our debt. By faith that verdict of fully forgiven is ours. We didn’t do anything to deserve it. By this story, Jesus also illustrates this full and free pardon should also work an attitude of mercy for those around us. How are you doing? What is your verdict?
Prayer: Lord, you taught us to pray for forgiveness and you fully supply it. Enable us to live our lives as we pray in the Lord’s prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Give us the ability to reflect your mercy in our lives. Amen.