Matthew 18:23

THE KING AND HIS SERVANTS

‘Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.’

Matthew 18:23

The parable shows how absolutely the forgiveness of our sins by Almighty God depends upon our forgiveness of others. But, above all, it warns us of the fearful danger we incur by being of an unforgiving spirit.

I. The king and his servants.—We are not only to look on each other as brothers, but as subjects of one King, or fellow-servants of a common Master. God is a King of infinite Majesty, as well as of infinite Mercy: ‘As is His Majesty, so is His Mercy’ (Sir_2:18). It follows, therefore, that sin against Him is infinitely sinful, and wilful sin infinitely rebellious, and infinitely ungrateful as against His mercy.

II. The unforgiving servant.—See how unmerciful the unforgiving servant was. He has no grateful recollection of the blessing he had but then received. How terrible an aggravation of his sin was this behaviour to his fellow-servant! And yet the parable may apply to many amongst ourselves. Sin, and especially anger, or a sense of wrong done to us by another, so thoroughly blinds our eyes that it sweeps away the memory of past mercies and kindnesses which we have received from others.

III. The final reckoning.—The first call to account was a reckoning indeed, but a reckoning which was a warning. The next is the reckoning followed by the punishment. And then, at the end of the parable, comes the fearful warning to ourselves—‘So likewise,’ etc. For ‘he,’ says St. James, ‘shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy.’ Are we each of us in ‘charity with our neighbour’? Let us, above all things, be most careful to avoid the bitter, revengeful, brooding, rankling spirit, come from what source or cause it may; for let us remember that without showing mercy we shall never ‘obtain mercy’ (St. Matthew 5:7). In being of an unforgiving disposition, in not freely forgiving others, we sin against God the Father, against our Lord Jesus Christ, against our neighbour, against ourselves. ‘The grace of God’ will, even at the last, ‘abandon one who refuses pardon.’

The Rev. J. B. Wilkinson.