²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

This parable, running from 18:23-35, is about forgiveness (vv21-22). The king represents the Father to whom we owe debt because of our sin. The servants represent individual sinners.

18:23

Therefore [on this account, referring to verses 21-22] the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

Jesus now turned to illustrate the consequences of unforgiveness by parable (18:23-35).

18:24

And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

When the king began to settle accounts and clear bad debt off his books, he found that one owned him 10,000 talents (several million dollars). This debt was overwhelming.

18:25

But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

This person could not pay the debt, so the king ordered him and his family into slavery.

18:26

The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

The servant asked for time to pay the debt.

18:27

Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

The king showed mercy on this man and not only gave him time but forgave or canceled his debt.

PRINCIPLE:

Jesus paid a debt that we cannot possibly pay.

APPLICATION:

We value the extent of forgiveness by acknowledging the extent of our sin. We owe God a debt we cannot possibly pay.

Ezra 9:6 And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.

Ps 51:3  For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

Christians experience two kinds of forgiveness from God. First, God gives a permanent forgiveness (positional forgiveness). This occurred at the point of salvation:

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace . . .

Second, God forgives a believer for his sin after becoming a Christian if he confesses his sin. This has to do with fellowship with the Lord day-by-day:

1 Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.