Part 4
[SIZE=12pt]Let that rest on you for a moment “an eye for an eye” what does that mean? Once the eye is given the matter is settled B&S but the Lamech of this want 76 more! [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Modern day atheists see this as ‘terrible’, ‘barbaric’… but it’s the spirit of Lamech that was terrible… its a spirit which aims to punish people over and over and its still alive today. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Needless distancing from believers / non [/SIZE]believers[SIZE=12pt]. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Broken relationships which continue to hurt[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Slanderous talk where a person’s name is no longer safe in our mouths.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The Law of Moses was trying to reign in and limit the spirit of vengeance… He was teaching the people about divine justice in taking the eye, but take two you’ve crossed the line into vengeance. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]It’s an unsavoury theme in many ways B&S but one we must understand because the Lord Jesus places so much reliance on replacing vengeful thoughts and actions with forgiveness. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now lets come to the context of Matthew 18 there’s tension within the disciples’ group.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]I am sure all of us have sensed this type of tension before.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]In verse 1 we read:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]1[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]We are told in Mark 9:33-35 that behind this question was an argument the disciples were having amongst themselves about who was the greatest. They thought that Jesus was destined for political power in the short term, and they were concerned about their positions when that occurred. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Brethren have long fought over who is influencing who and 2000 years later we find ourselves in the same position. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]It’s quite amazing isn’t it, to think that the Lord’s ministry with all its pressure, took place with this kind of petty squabbling going on amongst the disciples in the background. The Lord endured more pressure than even we know didn't he.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]And so Jesus took a child here, and set it amongst them and urged upon them the importance of a childlike humility and then in verse 15 he says to them: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]“If your brother sins against you,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt](from self interest to sin – what’s he telling us?)[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]So he was addressing these issues for the sake of helping the disciples regulate and manage their relationships – the humility of children, genuine concern for the welfare of one another, if there’s an issue, if you’re upset – speak to the brother privately, don’t escalate matters unnecessarily… that’s the Lord’s spirit… and then we have in verse 21 a follow up question from Peter: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]21 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Did Peter had an incident in mind I wonder?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Peter might say “Lord, I’m the one on the receiving end of bad treatment… I’m being ever so patient and forgiving… how long should I keep this up – until 7 times?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Jewish [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]rabbis of the day argued about this very question– and according to them, an erring brother should be forgiven three times. So Peter’s suggestion of seven times, was a generous offer… but not [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]generous [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]enough for Jesus. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]3 times or 7 times, see the mindset B&S… At what point can I legally [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]crack him one![/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]When can I legally retaliate? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now the Lord jumps all over this really quickly, look what the Lord says:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]22 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt](as it should be in Greek, not 70x7)[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now there’s a formula you’ve heard before! Not 7 times, 77 times.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now notice what Peter said: [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me”[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] – His situation is that of Lamech: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]“Lord, I’ve been wounded… I’ve been struck… how many more times before I can put my foot down and say enough is enough…” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The Lord hears the hurt. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]He feels the spirit of vengeance lurking. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]He hears Peter’s limiting forgiveness to ‘seven times’ and responds by completely inverting Lamech’s formula and changes the number 77 from a symbol of the extremity of human Lamechian vengeance to a number symbolising forbearance and forgiveness to the uttermost.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]As one commentator put it, he says to Peter “[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Christian forgiveness must be extended as far as old-world vengeance”[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt](Pulpit Commentary)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now we can thank Peter for such a good question because the Lord expands on his response with this wonderful parable often called ‘The Unforgiving Servant’ which we’ll just briefly review in preparation for the emblems: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]23 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]24 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now this servant is in real trouble. In fact, this debt probably made the hearers of the parable smile. It’s 10,000 talents! Greek numbers did not go higher than 10,000 and a talent was the highest monetary unit in those times. So it’s the highest possible sum imaginable![/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Just to give you an idea of how huge it is,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] we learn from ancient records (Josephus) that[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] the entire annual tribute to Rome from Galillee and Perea during this time was 200 talents. This individual is depicted as owing 10,000![/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]25 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Being forced into slavery to settle a debt was common in the ancient world… and this individual has no alternative… but, he seems to think he does! [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]26 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]A ludicrous thought! He couldn’t pay it back over a thousand lifetimes! And yet he falls to his knees… and the King is moved. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]27 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him[/SIZE] the debt.
[SIZE=12pt]He did more than the man asked. The man had asked for time so that he could eventually pay, but instead, the king freely forgives the debt. No conditions. No hesitation. It was an act of sheer compassion and pure grace.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]But this newly forgiven and free servant was owed money himself:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]28 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt](a tiny amount compared to 10,000 talents – about 100 days wages!) [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]29 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt](It was a large amount, but it was at least payable – there was hope that a sum like that could be paid back) [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]30 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sometime we put people in prisons – we can lock people up emotionally so they have no hope of reaching us.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now it’s very hard to pay off a debt languishing in jail, and it reveals more about the unforgiving servant and makes his act of putting him there even more merciless – he’s more interested in vengeance than being repaid. This is a horribly unforgiving man, showing real ingratitude and injustice.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]As we might imagine:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]31 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt](as injustice should distress us…) [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.[/SIZE] [SIZE=12pt]32 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt](Another version has “you scoundrel”)[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] I forgave you all [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt](that immense amount!) [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]that debt because you pleaded with me. [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]33 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Notice he doesn’t say ‘should you not have cancelled the man’s debt’, he says: “should not you have had mercy”[/SIZE]. He expected his mercy to produce a spirit of compassion and mercy in the forgiven man… he wanted a heart change to occur!
[SIZE=12pt]Also, isn’t it interesting that the King’s anger is not because the man had mismanaged the money that he had been given, his anger was due to his mismanagement of the grace[/SIZE] that he had been given.
[SIZE=12pt]34 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]35 [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]For Cain and many others, the path of vengeance[/SIZE] only creates more pain and hurt.
[SIZE=12pt]There is a Chinese proverb, If you’re going to pursue revenge, you’d better dig two graves[/SIZE].
[SIZE=12pt]Forgiveness[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] is relinquishing our right to justice.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Letting go of that need, and giving that to God who says ‘vengeance’ is His to give, in His time as He deems appropriate. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]So, where do we start with our challenge of forgiveness? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Well, the main point of Jesus’ parable here is a good place – that as people who have been forgiven, the only right thing to do is strive to forgive from our hearts.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Our debt is immense[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]; the remembrance of [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]that will [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]keep us humble and in a frame of mind disposed towards forgiveness. [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]We all have been forgiven 10,000 talents. Now you might think… really? Is my debt so high? Is that really what the King has had to forgive with me?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Marking this verse is a healthy reminder in Psalm 130:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Psalm 130[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]3[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]4[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Message: [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]If you, GOD, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]If he did… The debt would be 10,000 talents! He doesn’t do that – he’s a merciful and a forgiving God – and for that we can be so thankful! There is so much that God lets go and does not ‘count’.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]You may hear the phrase ‘doing Matthew 18’, as though its ticking a box – checking off a correct procedure BUT I’d like for us to move away from automatically thinking of addressing a person face to face about how they’ve grieved us or caused us hurt – that’s a part of Matthew 18, but let’s perhaps work on training ourselves to think of ‘doing Matthew 18’ as ‘forgiving your brother from your heart’.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]That’s the note that Matthew 18 finishes on. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]It’s the overall thrust of the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 18 and I’d like to suggest that it is the most challenging aspect of the chapter for each of us.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The extraordinary lengths God has gone to to redeem and forgive us, are represented in these emblems before us. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]How thankful we are to remember our Lord now…for where else in the world could we be, if it wasn’t for our Lord. [/SIZE]
