A Debt He
Could Not Pay
Some of the
most comforting, relief-bringing words that human ears can hear are, “I
forgive you.” One of our Lord’s parables underscores the importance and
blessings that come from God’s willingness to forgive.
Jesus told of a certain king who, examining his
finances, discovered a debtor who owed him the staggering sum of ten
thousand talents (Matthew 18:24). Some scholars estimate a talent was worth
between $800 and $1,000. Hence, this servant could easily have been in debt
to the tune of $10 million. When the servant was called to settle the debt,
he promised: “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all” (Matt.
18:26). Was this a realistic promise? In Matthew 20:2, we learn that
the average daily wage of a man working in Palestine was “a shilling,”
equal to about 14-17 cents.
How long would it take to pay off a debt of $10
million at 17 cents per day – taking out nothing for living expenses? Only
about 200,000 years!
In this parable, the king represents God and the
indebted servant represents each of us in the condition of sin. We would
never be able, in and of ourselves, to work off the debt of sin to Almighty
God. 2:8-9). Joyously, the parable
teaches that the king forgave his indebted servant (Matt. 18:27; Eph.
2:8-9).
This part of
the parable is designed to emphasize our utter weakness and helplessness
before God. Even at that, we must never push the parable beyond its
intended purpose and assume that forgiveness is unconditional. That
assumption stands in clear contradiction of easily understood Bible
passages (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 5:8-9). Whereas a loving God freely
extends forgiveness, it must be obediently accepted by the penitent sinner.
What about you, have you accepted God’s magnificent gift through obedience
to His will? If not, please do so before it’s eternally too late!
R.W.
________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence Sermon:
No man ever becomes good or bad without choosing.
