January 26, 2022

Forgiveness Doesn't Necessarily Mean You'll Forget

Matthew 18

Danielle Maczka
Wednesday's Devo

January 26, 2022

Wednesday's Devo

January 26, 2022

Central Truth

We are called to forgive others more than we believe reasonable because of how many more times Christ has forgiven us.

Key Verse | Matthew 18:22

Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Matthew 18

Who Is the Greatest?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, 1 18:6 Greek causes to stumble; also verses 8, 9 it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Temptations to Sin

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! 2 18:7 Greek stumbling blocks For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell 3 18:9 Greek Gehenna of fire.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 4 18:10 Some manuscripts add verse 11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my 5 18:14 Some manuscripts your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

If Your Brother Sins Against You

15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed 6 18:18 Or shall have been bound shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 7 18:23 Or bondservants; also verses 28, 31 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 8 18:24 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant 9 18:26 Or bondservant; also verses 27, 28, 29, 32, 33 fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, 10 18:28 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, 11 18:34 Greek torturers until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Footnotes

[1] 18:6 Greek causes . . . to stumble; also verses 8, 9
[2] 18:7 Greek stumbling blocks
[3] 18:9 Greek Gehenna
[4] 18:10 Some manuscripts add verse 11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost
[5] 18:14 Some manuscripts your
[6] 18:18 Or shall have been bound . . . shall have been loosed
[7] 18:23 Or bondservants; also verses 28, 31
[8] 18:24 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer
[9] 18:26 Or bondservant; also verses 27, 28, 29, 32, 33
[10] 18:28 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
[11] 18:34 Greek torturers

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Dive Deeper | Matthew 18

The phrase "forgive but never forget" pops in my head when I read Matthew 18, but then I lose the heart of what Jesus is saying. Christ is calling us to forgive those who have sinned against us just as He has forgiven us. How many times have I sinned against God, and yet He has forgiven me and continues to seek a relationship with me?

Through this lens, it is a lot easier to understand the Matthew 18:23-34 parable about the king who settled his debts with his servants. One servant freely accepted forgiveness from his master, but wouldn't extend the same forgiveness over a smaller debt he was owed. This caused the king to retract his offer and to put the servant in prison until he could repay his debts. Jesus described the amount the servant owed as an unpayable debt, such that the king had forgiven him of something he would never be able to repay. How much more does that correlate when we think of the forgiveness Christ has given us? 

Through this parable, Jesus tells His disciples how immeasurable His sacrifice for our sins will be and about the sweet gift of forgiveness. Being forgiven of our sins is the greatest gift and sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. As a follower of Christ, we should desire to forgive others like Ephesians 4:32 calls us to do.

It took time to learn that forgiveness isn't just for the person being forgiven. True forgiveness allows for peace and reconciliation within your own heart. Even in my family, I have had to offer forgiveness to people and accept that if I didn't, I would lose something greater for the sake of my pride.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you accepted Jesus' forgiveness of your sins?

2. Where do you need to extend forgiveness to others? Will you reach out to them within the next 24 hours?

3. Based on this passage, how are you going to pray today?