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THE K I NG ' S BUS I NES S
Outline. (1) The Unpayable Obligation, vs. 21-26. (2) The Unlimited Forgiveness, v. 27. (3) The Unmerciful Creditor, vs. 28- 30. (4) The Unending Penalty, vs. 32-35. Introduction. The chapter we are studying gives us the character and characteristics of the kingdom. We are told how to treat one who offends us. Go alone; then go with a witness; then tell it LESSON to the assembly. EXPOSITION The power to loose T. C. Horton and to bind is given to all disciples. T h e promise is made to the smallest possible gathering,—two or three—and if those two agree as touching anything they ask, it shall be granted. (Matt. 18:19.) f l ) THE UNPAYABLE OBLIGA TION, vs. 21-26. Peter brings a question to the Lord: “How often shall my brother offend and I forgive him,— seven times?” The teaching of the rabbis was th a t a man was to be forgiven three times, and Peter imagined he had reached high water mark when he suggested seven times. The question is a practical one and needs divine wisdom to appreciate the answer. Bear in mind th a t it is not a question of national or social sin, but of an offense against a brother. The reply of the Lord astonished Peter,—“Until seventy times seven!” Seven is the perfect number. Ten is the number of completeness. It is these two numbers multiplied, and again mul tiplied by the perfect number— 7x10x7 —showing that forgiveness should be complete, full, without any limit, 490 times in one day if necessary. There is a broad distinction between “forgiving” and “condoning.” Sin is never forgiven. Sins are forgiven on the basis of blood. Forgiveness must always
be based upon repentance for wrong committed. Forgiveness otherwise would be an offense against justice. Jesus illustrates with a parable. A king is reckoning with his servants. A servant is brought before him who owes him twelve million dollars. He is prob ably an embezzler, having had the handling of an immense estate. • He has lost it all. The culprit acknowledges his crime and .promises to pay. He pleads for time. This is a picture of the sinner. Every man has been endowed with faculties and power for glorifying God. These he has wasted and squandered in the world. He is called to account and has to con fess himself a criminal. He has mis used tru st funds. He cannot plead ex tenuating circumstances. It is a clear case of crime. He has broken the law. The verdict is ¿‘guilty.” The punish ment is death. The sinner is a “promising” fellow. He is always ready to turn over a new leaf, to promise to do better. He wants time. The exaction of the law is “Pay that thou owest.” • The law cannot excuse; it can only define guilt and prescribe the penalty. So the sinner cannot help himself. “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Rom. 3:20). The law cannot help him, for “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” (2) THE - UNLIMITED FORGIVE NESS, v. 27. The debt was owing to the king. He had the power of the executive and could exercise clemency. The penalty was prison until all was paid, but although the debtor did not ask for forgiveness, only for time, the king had compassion and freely forgave him all. This is a wonderful illustration of the mercy of God. He knows we cannot pay, hut the law’s requirement is fully met in Another. His son pays the pen alty, and we are freely forgiven. “When we were without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom.
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