The Life of Christ

• The means used by “debt collectors” has varied from culture to culture.

• Traditionally, they are sometimes known to induce enormous, and even, insidious pressures upon those who fall prey in their jurisdiction.

This illustration doe sn’t seem to stress the potential of one losing their salvation, but rather the necessity of forgiving a brother lest there be pain.

• The parable warns of ruthless oppression to follow the unforgiving one throughout all his days — “ until he should pay all that was due him.”

• Those in this category are characterized by great bitterness, depression, and loneliness; they too live an unforgiven life.

As a final note, there is no record of the servant who owed the 100 denarii ever being released from prison.

• His debt was authentic, and discharge could only be granted from the one to whom his debt was owed.

• Had the king removed the servant owing 100 denarii from prison, the king would also have to remove every other debtor from prison.

Mt. 18:35 “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

Forgiveness must transcend mere words; it must represent an authentic expression from the heart.

• Rather than endlessly wait for warm emotions to flood our soul, we must choose to forgive because “unless I forgive, I will be severely judged!”

• Forgiveness is much easier to grant if the offender repents (Lk. 17:3), but even if they don’t, we must still forgive because “they know not what they do.”

“If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Lk. 17:3).

• We can then demonstrate our forgiveness by how we choose to speak of that other individual, or how we allow our mind to meditate upon the issue.

• Forgiveness from the heart is reached when we can sincerely wish our offender well.

SECTION 130

Jn. 7:2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand.

This is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, indicating that Jesus is only six months away from His crucifixion.

Jn. 7:3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing.”

211