Standing in the Shadow of God’s Forgiveness

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

By Ben Miller, July 12, 2026

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. -Matthew 18:15–17



The goal of confrontation should always be , not or .





18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” -Matthew 18:18–20





21 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?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” -Matthew 18:21–22



Peter thinks forgiveness is about keeping . Jesus is about to show him that forgiveness is about understanding the King’s .





23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 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.” -Matthew 18:23–25



We owe God an debt.





26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. -Matthew 18:26–27



Forgiveness comes at a .





The Gospel is the repayment of our at the cost of Jesus’s .





16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16



24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. -1 Peter 2:24–25



God’s forgiveness changes the way we see every other against us.