Each of us has a unique perspective as all of us have walked our own path to this point in time. We must be careful to listen to Our Heavenly Father as circumstances arise that test our beliefs. Our old man wants to rule over us and keep us enslaved. This enslavement can be achieved by our willingness to be unforgiving of what others do to us. Any act that causes division can be traced back to the flesh or ego. To have a prisoner, you must have a jailer. The battle will rage on as long as you are willing to hold onto unforgiveness.
In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus brings forth a perspective of what I call the “law of equal weights and measures”. This law focuses on our relationship with others. This law impacts each of us on a daily basis, often in a subtle manner and is somewhat elusive at times. Let me explain. Our Heavenly Father is the Creator of heaven and earth and everything therein. HE created every one of your adversaries for there is no other power comparable in all of creation. HE allows you to be tried and tested. In the final analysis HE is liable at the highest level for your circumstances.
In Matthew 18, Peter asked Jesus the question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Peter asked the question from a “conditional” Love point of view. His ego wanted an answer that allowed for retribution at some point. Peter wanted to be able to exact vengeance on the other person. He wanted Jesus to endorse his position. Peter did not understand the law of equal weights and measures but Jesus was about to explain it by beginning with the Law of Jubilee: “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
The number “490” is the number of Jubilee, the forgiveness of all debt (Leviticus 25 explains the principle of Jubilee). Our debts with Our Heavenly Father have been forgiven at the point of Salvation. Our relationship is restored for the Blood of Jesus perfected that restoration. However, that did not give us a license to be unforgiving to our fellow man. Jesus brought forth this Truth in the parable:
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
When you “settle” an account, you add up all the debits and credits to see if there is an outstanding balance due to be paid.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
This parable uses the “talent” to provide perspective of the relationship between the certain king and the servant. A talent is defined as:
-
the scale of a balance, a balance, a pair of scales
-
that which is weighed, a talent
-
a weight varying in different places and times
-
a sum of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency
-
the Attic talent was equal to 60 Attic minae or 6000 drachmae
-
a talent of silver in Israel weighed about 100 pounds (45 kg)
-
a talent of gold in Israel weighed about 200 pounds (91 kg)
-
-
A scale provides a standard to be used in determining what is universally just. No matter how you view it, the servant owed the certain king a hefty sum. Jesus continues the parable:
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.
The Master was moved with compassion, HE was merciful and forgave the entire debt. Our Heavenly Father expressed HIS Love and mercy and did that very thing for us as well. We all had a debt we could not pay and we are grateful for HIS act of mercy. Yet the servant could not leave well enough alone:
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
The heart of the servant is now being revealed. His fleshly man looked at this event to get ahead by demanding payment from his fellow servants. Now that he owed nothing, he figured he could live the good life by collecting what little was owed him.
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
The first servant showed no mercy. He did not have a heart of gratitude but instead was in self-preservation mode. He was willing to sacrifice his brethren to get ahead. He was judgmental rather than being merciful to his fellow man. The scales needed to be balanced:
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
Our Heavenly Father hears our prayers and intercessions. HE is omnipresent and knows all of our deeds and intent for there is nothing under the sun that can surprise HIM. Jesus is communicating an important but subtle law to us. Our actions evoke a response, whether good or evil and that response requires payment.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
Jesus has now interjected the need for equality mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount: forgiveness received should initiate forgiveness to be given. “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” We are now at a key point in the parable:
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
The wicked servant had to pay the debt due TO HIM, NOT THE KING, the King’s debt was totally forgiven. He was required to pay restitution for the 100 denarii he tried to collect from his fellow servant, not the 10,000 talents he owed the king.
The “law of equal weights and measures” requires payment. The payment to be collected may not be in the same “denomination” as the original debt. If you are unforgiving in your heart because of an injustice, you may be opening yourself up to sickness, disease, impoverishment, or some other form of “collection” by the torturer. When we walk in forgiveness, we remove liabilities from our account. The issue is not about our relationship with Our Heavenly Father, HE forgave the debt owed to HIM as the parable reveals. The issue is with our brothers and sisters. Debts accumulated with them require payment in one form or another, they must be settled. Hopefully you can see how critical it is not to carry around unforgiveness in your heart and why Jesus included the need to resolve it in the Sermon on the Mount:
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
There are conditions and ramification to unforgiveness. The books will be balanced!