518. MAT 18:23, MAT 18:25. THE PARABLE OF THE DEBTORS
Mat_18:23, Mat_18:25. The Parable of the Debtors
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, who owed him ten thousand talents," &c.’97Mat_18:23, Mat_18:25.
The religion of the New Testament is evidently one of goodness and mercy. Its very essence is love,’97love to God and love to man. How this was exhibited in the life and doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ! He was embodied goodness,’97incarnate mercy. He came to establish an empire of clemency and kindness in our world. He insisted on his disciples cultivating a merciful and forgiving spirit. Out of a conversation with Peter on this subject, the parable before us originated. See Mat_18:21, Mat_18:22. The kingdom of heaven, or the great principles of the gospel, are beautifully set forth in the figurative sketch before us. Observe,
I. The king, and the conduct he adopted. This monarch is represented as one of great dignity and wealth. It is also to be remarked, that he took exact observation of the state of his affairs, and the accounts of his servants. He was not indolent or neglectful of the concerns of his kingdom. God is doubtless prefigured in the king before us. He is of boundless authority, riches, and glory. All creatures are under his control, and subject to his dominion. He has always an exact knowledge of the state and concerns of all his creatures. His rule is one of exactness, order, and wisdom. Observe,
II. The indebted servant. "One was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talents." This person represented as a servant, doubtless signifies more properly a petty prince, or one employed to collect the revenue in some district of the kingdom. His arrears were fearful, "ten thousand talents." If even of silver, a sum upwards of three millions pounds sterling. It is not said bow he came to be so deeply involved in debt. Whether by misfortune, imprudence, or lavish extravagance. He was also entirely insolvent. "He had not to pay his lord." No reference is made even to compounding with him. How exactly does this portray the true state of the sinner. A debtor to
God. The debt immense, incalculable. A debt that has been accumulating from the moment of his birth. A debt of which he cannot pay the smallest dividend, utterly insolvent. "Poor, and wretched, and blind, and naked." Without God and without hope in the world. Observe,
III. The course the king adopted.
1. He reasonably demanded payment. This was his equitable claim. God requires the yielding of loyal obedience to him. The perfect love of the heart, and the willing service of the life.
2. He justly insisted on his punishment. Commanded him to be sold," &c. This was the regal right, the understood terms’97the covenant between them. God has a just right to punish. He may justly inflict his displeasure. But,
3. Moved by compassion he freely forgave him. "The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him," &c. Mat_18:26. The debt was not denied, but acknowledged. His claims were not disputed. But his patience and clemency were supplicated; and moved by noble generosity he freely and entirely forgave the debt. What an extraordinary instance of goodness and compassion. How beautifully does it set forth the clemency of God to penitent believing sinners. When brought to feel their utter insolvency. When they cast themselves on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. When they earnestly plead for pardon. Then God, moved by the graciousness of his nature, freely forgives their sins, blotting them out as a cloud, &c. "There is forgiveness with thee," &c. "He who confesseth and forsaketh shall obtain mercy." And no matter how great the debt, he says, "Come now and let us reason together," &c. Notice,
IV. The unmerciful spirit the forgiven debtor displayed. "But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him," &c.
(1.) Observe, the debt owed by the fellow-servant was small, "a hundred pence," about three pounds four shillings and seven pence.
(2.) He, too, had nothing to pay with. Lacked the ability to meet the demand.
(3.) He was willing, if time were given, to meet the claim.
(4.) He humbly and earnestly entreated his compassion.
(5.) But the pardoned debtor was inexorable. He acted violently, "seized him by the throat," &c.
(6.) He exercised no forbearance, but at once thrust him into prison, Mat_18:30. What vile forgetfulness of the clemency which had been shown to him! What want of feeling and sympathy for an unfortunate fellow-creature! Observe, what a picture of man’s unmercifulness to man.
V. The course which the king then adopted. "So when his fellow-servants saw what was done they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant," &c., Mat_18:31, Mat_18:32. Here his hard-heartedness was laid before him. His wickedness asserted, and the course of conduct he ought to have pursued, pointed out, Mat_18:33. The anger of the king was excited, and in his displeasure he reversed his own merciful decision, and consigned him to the tormentors, Mat_18:34. The conduct of the king as described by Jesus, is the precise mode in which God will deal with the inclement and unmerciful. "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every man his brother their trespasses," Mat_18:35.
Observe, God requires that we should be merciful, even as he is merciful. That our mercy must extend to all our enemies, and that it must be hearty and sincere. He requires this not as the meritorious ground of our acceptance, but as the evidence of our love to him, and as the fruit of his grace within us. That when this is not evinced, he will not accept or save. That an unforgiving spirit alike disqualifies for his kingdom on earth, and his glory in heaven.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS