Matthew 18:21-35: Forgiven and Forgiving

Peter recognizes that Jesus has been teaching about forgiveness, but he has not yet grasped the abundance of God’s mercy. Jesus calls His disciples to forgive freely without measure because God has forgiven us freely without measure. To illustrate this, Jesus tells a parable of a servant whose astronomical debt is forgiven by his master. When that same servant has a fellow servant who owes him a significant but much smaller amount, he refuses forgiveness. In a similar way, the refusal to forgive shows that there is no faith in Christ’s forgiveness, whereas our forgiveness of someone who has sinned against us is simply our confession of the reality that Christ has died for all. 

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 18:21-35. 

To learn more about Trinity in Ottumwa, visit trinitylutheranottumwa.com.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth. 

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org