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. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. Matthew 18:25-27
The master has demanded an accounting his servants who is found to be in a horrible situation. His debt to his master is 10,000 talents, an
unpayable debt.
But as he was not able to pay The Lord describes the dilemma. No one could ever repay such an enormous amount. This is a hopeless situation.
His master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and
children and all that he had and that payment be made The master requires the books be settled. He abides by the law and
requires the debt be paid. The servant is incapable of doing so and
loses everything he has. He and his family will be sold into slavery
and yet that comes nowhere close to repaying his debt. In all of eternity he will never be able to pay off that enormous amount.
The servant therefore fell down before him The servant faces the harsh reality. He is incapable of payment, he is guilt, he is doomed. He only has one option – to appeal to the character of his Master.
Master, have patience with me Note what the servant asks for. He begs for patience. He is asking for a deferral of his pending punishment. Please put it off until I can pay. Note the servant does not dispute his debt. It is real, it exists, it is valid and he his responsible.
I will pay you all We hear the Lord say the words but we are stunned. The servant says he can repay his debt – a total lie. This gives us great insight into the servant. He assumes he can satisfy the Lord by his payment. He is banking , not on the character of his master to forgive him his debt, but instead that he, in his own strength, cam make his debt right with the master.
We stop here to think of the beatitudes that have preceded the fourth one. We do not see a servant who is broken in spirit over his own guilt. We see him mourn over the pending punishment but not over the evil he has done. We do not hear him ask his master in meekness what the master desires. Instead we hear a self-righteous servant who has pride in his own capabilities and assures the master that he can repay the debt if the master will just give him a little more time. (This is what the world always suggests will solve any problem – more time. Think evolution.)
Then the master of that servant The camera turns to the master. Legally he is withing his rights to sell this unfaithful servant into slavery forever. He has been wronged, the debt is unforgiveable and unpayable. What will he do?
Moved with compassion The Lord tell us what is in the master’s heart. He is moved with compassion. The Greek word means moved in the inner parts. He sees the plight – the servant could never repay his debt. Eternity in slavery is forever. There is no objective reason for the master’s action except that he cares for this servant (love) and does not want to see him suffer forever (mercy).
Released him, and forgave him the debt The master takes two actions. He releases him (dismissed his punishment) and
forgives (released, sent it away) his debt. This is an unbelievable act of mercy by one in authority, one who has been
wronged. In the master’s compassion We see mercy at its best.