Matthew 18:26-30

Mat 18:26 (KJB)
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

The servant knew that he was in trouble and threw himself on the mercy of the king by falling down and worshipping him. When we look at the immense amount of money that he owed the king, it would be impossible for him to repay all that money. Notice how sure he is of himself that he will not just make an attempt to pay but he states that he “will” pay “all.” The lesson here is that when people think they can pay for their own sins by doing good works, they will never accomplish this because they do not know how many works to accomplish and they will never know how many sins they have committed. When Jesus went to the cross, He not only paid for every sin we committed but He completely wiped them away and has left nothing behind. That is why we need a Savior so every sin would be paid for and nothing would be left which could condemn us. (Rom 8:34 KJV) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Mat 18:27 (KJB)
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

The servant had only requested more time but the Lord had compassion on him and decided not to throw him into debtor’s prison and had released him from the responsibility of repaying the debt. It is just like grace because we receive way more than we think or even deserve. Not only do we receive total forgiveness of sins but we are made heirs with Christ and we rule in some capacity in Heaven because we have been elevated to king. (Rev 1:6 KJV) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Mat 18:28 (KJB)
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Then this same servant who received the mercy from his Lord releasing him from all debt goes out and finds a servant who owes him 100 pence. 100 Roman pence is equivalent to about 3.125 pounds or about five dollars. This man who was forgiven hundreds of millions of dollars in debt had the gall to go and find a servant who owed him 5 dollars and treat him like a dog. Notice this man was a fellowservant which we could say was a fellow Christian but the wicked servant had no compassion on this fellowservant and the kindness he was shown did not sink into his heart.

Mat 18:29 (KJB)
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

This fellowservant said the very same thing to the servant which the servant said to the king that if he would have patience, he would pay back every pence. The servant could have given the man more time but chose to be greedy and evil by refusing him. The sum was so small that it was ridiculous that he would even make the man pay it back. Nevertheless, greed lurks in the region of every man’s heart.

Mat 18:30 (KJB)
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Then since he had no compassion on the fellowservant, he had him cast into prison until he paid off the debt. It was probably a debtor’s prison where they would work and receive a very small wage and then it was garnished and a portion went to pay off the debt or the family was forced to pay off the debt to effect his release. It seems the first servant had no regard for the second servant as a person and treated him like a dog. It seems he did not even consider the kindness of the king toward him in dealing with the fellowservant.

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