Matthew 18:21–35: Forgiving Your Brother
Introduction
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things that Jesus calls his disciples to do. When we have been hurt by others in some way, the painful scars that endure cry out for justice. They are not easily satisfied, and they do not desire to let go of any offense until they have received the full measure of their pound of flesh as just compensation. Yet, Jesus patiently insists that we must forgive one another. If anyone had a claim not to forgive others, the sinless Son of God did; however, even as the Roman soldiers nailed him to the cross, he prayed that his Father would forgive them for their ignorance (Luke 23:34). Therefore, Jesus teaches us a difficult message: forgive your brother from your heart.
Discussion Questions
1. How many times did rabbinic Judaism teach that someone must forgive someone else? Why do you think that Peter suggested a number more than twice that amount? How does Peter’s answer still fall into the trap of legalism? What seems good and right and just to us about limiting the number of times we forgive someone else? Why does Jesus refuse to allow us to order our actions on the principles of legalism?
2. How does the parable in vv. 23–35 follow as the natural consequence of what Jesus said in v. 22? What basis does this parable establish for forgiving our brother seventy-seven (i.e., an unlimited number of) times? How much did the servant owe? What did justice require for his extraordinary debt? What role does the compassion of the king play in forgiving the debt? What does this lavish forgiveness tell us about the heart of God toward sinners?
3. What do the actions of the “wicked servant“ tell us about his appreciation for the magnitude of his forgiven debt? Why did such lavish forgiveness fail to change his heart? Why do you think that legalism always seeks leniency for self, but then turns around with crushing severity toward others? Do you see anywhere in your life where you have made special pleading for yourself, but then turned around and denied the same mercy toward others?
4. Where are you stingy to forgive someone else? What justifications do you give for ongoing bitterness and cruelty (in thought, word, or action) to those who have sought your forgiveness? How do those justifications melt in the light of God’s forgiveness of you? How might you meditate more on God’s own lavish forgiveness today? Who is one person whom you need to forgive today?
