Blessed are...

The Unmerciful Servant

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

Peter wanted to know how many times he was required to forgive his brother who had sinned against him.[1] He suggested seven, more than the law required, perhaps expecting approval. Jesus’ response astonished Peter. Not seven times, but seventy times seven: for the followers of Jesus, there is never a time when it is appropriate not to forgive.

In explanation, Jesus told the story of the unmerciful servant,[2] who received mercy from his master but failed to display it to another. When the king wanted to settle accounts with his servants he discovered that one man owed ten thousand talents, a staggering sum. The man could never hope to repay the amount he owed. The king was about to seize the servant’s assets and sell his wife and children into slavery when the poor man fell to his knees and begged for help. The king had pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go. But upon his release the servant went to see another man who owed him one hundred denarii, a much smaller sum. He demanded what he was owed and, not receiving it, had the man thrown into debtor’s prison. But the king found out. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?”

One day, we shall stand before our King. We, too, shall be asked to give an account, not in order to win a reward, but in order to demonstrate that we lived as we believed. Should we expect mercy, if we have shown none? Or will God extend the hand of welcome recognizing, in us, the kindness and compassion that reflect the values of His Kingdom?


Lord God,
When judgment comes,
may I not be found trusting in myself,
but only in the merits of Your Son.
When judgment comes,
may I be found living out the Gospel,
caring for others more than for myself,
showing mercy to all.
Through Christ my Lord.
Amen.

[1] Matthew 18:21
[2] Matthew 18:23-35