T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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In ternat iona l Lesson Commentary
★ Outline and Exposition B. B. S utcliffe Points and Problems H omer A . K ent Golden Text Illustration
A lan S. P earce Blackboard Lesson G rbtchbn S ibley Children's Division M ildred M . C ook Object Lesson E lmer L . W ilder , G ladys B owman , I llustrator ★ Lesson material is based on ontllnes of International Sunday School Lessons, copyrighted by International Council of Religious Education; used by permission.
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MARCH 4,1945
JESUS TEACHES FORGIVENESS
M atthew 18; 20; 22:1-33
Outline and Exposition I. T he I nstruction (2 1 ) T HE parables of the kingdom of Hence, in this passage, forgiveness is seen to depend upon what a person does about forgiving others; it is con ditional rather than absolute. On the other hand, forgiveness that has to do with Christ’s payment of the sinner’s debt through His own atone ment, is eternal and unconditional, as is revealed in passages in the Gospel of John (3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 20:31).. The question, “How oft shall . . . I forgive him?” manifests blindness to one’s own need of forgiveness. There is no thought here that the inquirer needed also to be forgiven. But the evil of another must n o t'be allowed to blind one to his own sin. The beam in one’s own eye. should be re moved before one attempts to remove the mote from another’s eye. The question also shows that a legal spirit was present in whatever forgiveness might be granted, because past of fenses were recalled and would influ ence present forgiveness, suggesting a system of bookkeeping. This is not God’s way. The answer of Jesus shows the perfection of His forgiveness. It is infinite and without limit. It is gracious, not remembering the past, and is never denied to the penitent one. It is In this manner also that believers are to forgive. H. T he I llustration (23-27). When the king would “ take ac
count” or make settlement with his servants, they were called before him. One was found who owed an impos sible amount, so huge that all knew he never could pay it. Yet this ser vant fell down and worshiped. There was no denial of the debt, only a plea for time. There was no request for forgiveness, only a promise to pay. ■But to satisfy such a debt would in volve not only the servant, but also his wife, his children, and all that he had. He was in a hopeless situa tion which only grace could meet. And grace did meet it by fully and freely liquidating the entire debt. This is the Lord’s manner, and should be the manner of all His followers. HI. T he A pplication (28-35) The bestowal of grace also serves as a test for all the forgiven ones (vs. 28-30). The test in this case revealed that the forgiven servant’s heart was untouched by the grace he had re ceived. He would selfishly take all he could get from the king, but re fuse to deal in grace with his own debtors.. He would not hesitate to apply the full penalty of the law upon others, while asking for mercy for himself. When the king heard what this ser vant had done, he reversed his deci sion of grace and proceeded to deal with this servant according to the ser vant’s own method. “With what meas ure ye mete, it shall be measured to you « g a in ” (cf. Matt. 7:2). We can see that the forgiveness in this pas sage is governmental, not eternal; it is conditional, not absolute; it deals with time, not eternity; and it de pends upon how the forgiven one treats his own debtors. So the Father
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, ana sala, Lord, how oft shall my brother •In against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus salth unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 * And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 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. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and l will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellow servant fell down at his' feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. .30 And he would not: but went and cast him Into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, 1 forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father dq^also unto you, if ye from your hearts for give not every one his brother their tres passes. LESSON T E X T : Matt. 18:21-35. GOLDEN T E X T : “ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will atso forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:14, 15). DEVOTIONAL READ ING: Psa. 32:1-7.
heaven reveal the qualifica tions as well as the privileges of the citizens in that kingdom.
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