The Forgiving King

October 2008
The Forgiving King
Matthew 18:23-35

A certain King would settle accounts with his servants every so often and finding one owing a considerable amount demanded payment. The amount was far beyond what the servant could pay. In fact, the amount was really ridiculously beyond what a normal servant, even an important and valuable servant, should need to pay for no servant could possibly find just cause to have borrowed and spent so much money. Ten thousand talents by today’s standard would be about thirty billion dollars.(Wicipedia; talent, using the standard of wages around the New Testament time)
This sum of money chosen by the Lord for this parable is so outrageous as to cause the informed mind to wonder if the Lord had made a mistake, or if there was some purpose in choosing such an amount. First of all, no king would lend such a large amount of money to a servant. Secondly, what servant could ever re-pay so much. For example, King Auletes of Egypt paid six thousand talents to Cesar to grant him the status of "A friend and ally to the Roman people." This sum of money was designed to impress the enemy into not attacking his country. Ten thousand talents was over the top. Obviously, a lesson was meant in it. The debt to the king was certainly beyond the servants ability to pay, ever. The king, who had the right to sell his servant and family into slavery, chose instead to forgive the debt. This was just as unbelievable to all who heard the parable, as was the sum of money in question. And this he did because the king had compassion upon and pitied his servant, who begged for time to pay. Certainly the king knew that the servant could not pay the debt, and therefore frankly forgave him.
The next part of the story has this forgiven servant approaching his fellow servant to collect a debt. This debt was said to be two hundred pence worth. This translates into about three months worth the wages, say from six thousand to ten thousand dollars. This is a healthy sum of money. If someone owed any of us this amount, we would be concerned enough about it to remind the debtor. Those listening would have concluded that it was a just request, and one that would require, or at least justify some action. When someone could not or would not pay a debt by the contracted time, it was not uncommon for them to be sent to debtors prison, and in the case of servants, the remaining family would be split up and sold into slavery. The average price for an adult slave was around one hundred pence, or about three thousand dollars. So this mans family would probably have satisfied this kind of debt. Here again, the master cleverly uses the culture of the day to make his point. While those listening may have wondered what the point was, Jesus surprised them with an unexpected ending.
The forgiving king was informed by other servants of what had happened. It’s interesting that these other "fellow" servants were "sorry" at what had been done. Surely they were aware of the kings decision to forgive the servant’s large debt, for the day of settling accounts would have been filled with speculation, and wonder. There may have been some who felt it unfair, or maybe irresponsible of their king to do so. If other’s debts had been forgiven that same day, they may have felt slighted knowing that they could have incurred a much larger debt, and still been forgiven. They could have partied a bit more, and worked a bit less, and purchased a few more of the worlds goods. Anyway, the king was angry at his unforgiving servant and called for him. The former kind, forgiving, big-hearted king chastised him reminding him "I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Should not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?" The king had set the standard in a very dramatic way. The one who had the power to extract all, even life, had forgiven all. This was the standard, and the king expected that his servant would follow his example, if for nothing else, out of gratitude.
Surely the servant begged for forgiveness once again, pleading his case before his lord, but it was to no avail. The kings decision was made and the sentence was passed. He would be sent to debtors prison, his family sold and all his goods, and he would remain in prison until he had paid the uttermost farthing. There is some symbolism here also. He goes to prison for his deeds and his family is split up and lost to him. His hope for a future with those he loved was lost forever. So much was at stake, and so much was lost. Was he punished for collecting a debt, for claiming what was legally his? Was he punished for abusive treatment of his fellow servant? His master charged him with lack of compassion and pity. He had not forgiven his fellow servant, as he had been forgiven.
Not forgiving others their sins against us will close the gates of the Celestial Kingdom forever before us, no matter what great deed, or accomplishment we may present. Surely we would argue our case before the king, and list our virtues and value to Him, such as "Lord, Lord, .....have we not in thy name.....done many wonderful works?"(Matt 7:22), but in the end we would be judged by the standard set by the king. Others will claim that they were wrongfully dealt with, or had little opportunity, or some handicap that would exempt them from the king’s standard, but they will learn that there are no exceptions. "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (D&C 64:9,10)
This is a hard doctrine. The other day, around our dinner table, we were having a discussion about this very topic. One of my children stated that it would be very hard if not impossible to forgive someone who came into the house to rob us and in the process killed someone. We might add a number of scenarios to this list such as the death of a family member due to a drunk driver, or a rape of one of our children. Who could take such abuse and forgive the perpetrator? But, the point is this, no one in this life can commit a sin against us that will outweigh the sins against the Son of God. No one can say, "My test is greater, my pain more intense, my heart more broken." "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"(D&C 122:8) His command to us is to forgive all trespasses, and leave the choosing to him, for, if we choose not to forgive the rapist, murderer, offender or gossiper we will stand as the accused bearing the greater sin.
There may be some relief in the words of the Lord, "Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to the man by whom the offence cometh!" (Matt. 18:7) And, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."(Matt 18:6) But it must be remembered that it is the right of the Judge to pronounce the guilty and their punishment, and not ours.
How then should we feel when offended? How should we respond to those who injure us? Perhaps the Lord is again the perfect example. In settling a dispute between his apostles the Lord in chastisement taught them that whoever sought to be greatest in the kingdom must learn to be the least and the servant of all. Referring to himself and at the same time teaching, the Lord reveals this important truth: He is the least of all, having suffered the greatest offenses ever heaped upon a living, breathing man. All who wish to also be great in the eyes of God, must in like manner suffer the offenses of others.
Such suffering is exalting for it teaches us to love, and affords the opportunity to forgive. Suffering the actions of others, and forgiving those offenses is the highest form of love. "And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father." (Ether 12:33,34) Thus, charity, is the greatest of all because it is the laying down of one’s life out of love for others to the end that they too might have Eternal Life. This is what separates those who would be exalted from all the rest, for the Eternal Kingdom of our Father is made up of those who value their lives to be less than the lives of their fellows.
Those who offend us give us the opportunity to love them even more than we did before. The offence reveals important truths about both the offender and the offended. When an offense is intentional, and most are not, the offender reveals a weakness, an area of doubt or uncertainty, or even a fear beyond their control. Many offenses are self defense mechanism to ward off the possibility of being offended first. Thus, the victim, if astute will see the weakness and will have the opportunity to serve. At the heart of the response should be the ever burning desire for the welfare of the offending brother. Forgiving seven times seventy, turning the other cheek, giving up both coat and cloak, walking an extra mile, and so on all afford the opportunity to address the problem and to comfort the offending person. Yes, comfort the offending person. The offender is the one in need of love, forgiveness, and charity. To serve under these conditions and in this manner is godlike, and approaches the example set by the Savior.
The offended party also finds an area of weakness. If we are secure and sure about ourselves we are less likely to be offended by the reckless or accidental comments or actions of others. The uncertainty about ones relationship to God, or to other people opens the door to insecurity and offense. We can identify our weakness by what offends us. A common temptation is to excuse or justify our unwillingness to forgive by "responsibly teaching the offender a lesson, for their own good." The withholding of love, forgiveness, and service, thus charity that we might teach the offender some lesson is akin to banishing your child until he becomes perfect. Offenses are opportunities to improve our relationships and serve in a Christ-like way.
The untold story is what would have happened if the servant would have forgiven his fellow servant his debt. The forgiven servant and his fellow would have forged a relationship worthy of the Celestial Kingdom, and the king upon hearing about such actions would no doubt have called his servant in with words of praise, and perhaps given him wealth beyond that which he previously owed. The love and mutual respect would have forged feelings and relationships that would have truly been eternal.
Offenses work tragedies in our lives. At the heart of both offending and being offended is the universal sin of pride, that cankers the soul, and divides us. What is to be gained by an offense? Nothing! What is to be gained by forgiving? Everything!
Dad once said to me that "Life is like a game where the one who leaves with least wins." I would like to apply this to pride. The one who leaves with the least amount of pride and self preservation, wins. May we effectively get outside of ourselves, and love each other far beyond the trivialness of offenses.