The Two Servants: Matthew 18:23-35

Matthew 18:23‑35
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ONE of the ugliest features of fallen human nature―insensibility to divine grace―is exposed in all its hideousness in the parable of the Two Servants (Matt. 18:23-3523Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But 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. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:23‑35)). It happened on this wise. Peter had just inquired of the Lord if seven times would suffice for the forgiveness of an erring brother, and had received the startling reply, “Until seventy times seven.” The parable before us was added immediately, and in it the exceeding grace of God and the incorrigible evil of man stand clearly revealed.
The outline of the parable is as follows: A certain King, in taking account of his servants, found one who owed him ten thousand talents―about three millions sterling in English money. The defaulter being penniless, the King ordered himself, and his wife, children and goods to be sold. In his distress the debtor fell at his master’s feet, crying: “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” The King’s heart being moved with compassion, the whole vast debt was immediately remitted. Presently the forgiven one met a fellow-servant who owed him a hundred pence―about three pounds in our currency; and instead of extending to him clemency after the pattern of that which had been so recently shown to himself, he seized him by the throat saying: “Pay me that thou owest.” In his utter heartlessness, he gave no heed to the tears of his fellow, but cast him into prison until payment should be made.
This parable may be read both dispensationally and morally. Dispensationally it presents to us the history of the people of Israel. Centuries of law-breaking had made them serious defaulters before the Son of God came into the world, and to all this they added the enormous guilt of shedding His blood. In answer to Ills gracious prayer, “Father, forgive them,” divine favor was shown to the nation after the Holy Ghost came down from heaven. To Israel first the Gospel of divine forgiveness was sent (Acts 3:2626Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26)). This, instead of melting their hearts, only served to bring out their utter moral insensibility to God’s goodness. Scorning the Gospel for themselves, in their hatred to the Gentiles they put every obstacle in the way of its being preached to them (1 Thess. 2:1616Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (1 Thessalonians 2:16)). This has filled their cup of iniquity to the brim. They are now suffering divine chastisement until their term is accomplished, and they have received of Jehovah’s hand double for all their sins (Isa. 40:22Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2)).
We must read this parable morally also. Viewed from this standpoint, it appeals loudly to us all. Every man is a defaulter in relation to God. Perfect obedience and love is His due from us, but who among us has ever rendered it? Yet the heart of God yearns over all His bankrupt debtors; and, on the basis of the atoning blood of Jesus, He proclaims full pardon to everyone. Myriads profess to have received His pardon. “I believe in the forgiveness of sins” is the language of multitudes in Christendom daily. But conduct alone proves whether or not the grace of God has really penetrated the soul. Where this is the case, the forgiven one gratefully walks in the spirit of grace towards all, meekly enduring wrong, and sincerely seeking every man’s eternal good. Those who content themselves with saying “Lord, Lord,” while not doing the things that He says, will find themselves ultimately in the place of the wicked servant of our parable, who was severely denounced by his lord for his hypocrisy and evil and was forthwith delivered to the tormenters. “He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy” (James 2:1313For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. (James 2:13)). Our God will be satisfied with nothing less than reality in those who have to do with Him.