Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost (A) 2017

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: Matthew 18:27
Theme: “He Forgave The Debt”

Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

God is merciful. But no one plays Him as the fool. Jesus vividly illustrates these truths today in response to Peter’s question about the limits of forgiveness. In the parable, the greater debtor is pardoned but doesn’t extend the forgiveness to a fellow debtor who owes far less. The man in question owed 10,000 talents to the king. One talent was equal to about 20 years’ wages for a common laborer. A blue-collar worker might only earn two talents in a lifetime. But this man owed ten thousand talents, the equivalent of tens of millions of dollars. Hopelessly indebted, he could never repay the king. The Holy Spirit wants us to understand that spiritually, we are hopelessly indebted also.

In contrast, a fellow servant of his owed him a hundred denarii. A denarius was about a day’s wage. It was not an insignificant amount for someone who lived at that income level. But in comparison to what was owed to the king it was miniscule. It wouldn’t even be taken into account in financial insolvency negotiations. So, the hypocrisy and cold-heartedness of this debtor is dramatically revealed. Graciously pardoned, he refuses to show compassion to a fellow debtor. His ruthlessness does not go unnoticed. His actions are promptly reported to the king. The king then renders the punishment that was due him. Note that both pleas are the same, “Have patience with me, and I will repay you.”1 The responses, however, are diametrically opposed.

The history of humanity is one long saga about the need for reconciliation, the need for pardoning of debts. Not, of course, that sinful human beings necessarily see it that way. If people don't realise something is broken they won't seek to fix it. How many marriages, business partnerships, and general friendships have come to a sudden and surprise end for one party or another because they didn't know the relationship was broken! Sometimes ignorance is the cause, other times denial, and in other cases the self-absorption is so extreme all perspective is lost. Most important is a clear understanding of the need to be reconciled with God. Sin separates us from Him. Our debt is enormous. Forgiveness is a necessity. Ignorance is no excuse. Consider what the apostle said, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst.”2


If forgiveness was easy it wouldn't require divine facilitation. The Son of God did not come to mend things that were not broken. He did not come to pay debts that we could handle on our own. Christ was committed all the way to death on the cross. He humbled Himself beyond human capacity or understanding. Mending seriously damaged relationships requires commitment. Shattered trust is not rebuilt overnight. How could early Christians forgive Paul after his ruthless persecution of the church? How could Jacob forgive Laban for cheating him out of his wife? How could Joseph forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery? How could David forgive Saul for trying to put him to death? How can we forgive those who have hurt us deeply? We cannot do it under our own power. The Holy Spirit must carry a burden that’s too heavy for us to bear.

When someone seeks forgiveness from us we do not have the option to deny them. If we do, we are essentially claiming jurisdiction that belongs to God alone. That is the meaning of the central part of the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”3Even if we suspect the request for forgiveness is compromised by hypocrisy, we still give the benefit of the doubt. Even if we wonder about the authenticity of the repentance, our gracious willingness to forgive may soften the heart of the one who has sinned against us. It’s never our place to seek restitution or revenge. Civil authorities have that responsibility. Spiritually, our desire for retaliation must be left in the hands of God. The Scripture says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”4 And again, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”5

Dear friends, forgiveness is not only relevant for the life hereafter. It governs all of our relationships. Why do we cherish the institution of marriage- husband and wife united together- and support the expression of sexuality within those parameters? Why do we value life from the time of conception to the time of death and seek to support those who are in the most vulnerable conditions? Why do we seek to speak truthfully to and about our neighbour, not gossiping or slandering? Why do we strive to protect and support our neighbours regarding their possessions and livelihood? Paul says today not to “quarrel over opinions.”6 Our concern is authentic, genuine love, not trivial matters. The Ten Commandments are not arbitrary demands, they are parameters of love. They take us beyond ourselves. Think of what the apostle said, “None of us lives to himself, and none of dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”7

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”8 These aren’t just words, He is the merciful one par excellence. From the cross the Man who is perfect love said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”9 What does the Scripture say about Stephen when he was put to death for the faith? “And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”10 The Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity.”11 And the Lord says through Isaiah, “God has blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.”12 God announces this forgiveness to you publicly, clearly, and definitively in the absolution in the Divine Service. The Holy Spirit showers you with this forgiveness in your baptism. Jesus dispenses this forgiveness to you through His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.

Dear friends, God has forgiven us a debt that cannot be measured or valued. What price can be placed on an eternity in God’s presence? How can we make a valuation on rescue from hell, protection from Satan, and triumph over death? It’s exactly the incomparableness of God’s mercy that Jesus is illustrating today. The debt has been paid. The punishment has been taken. Jesus Christ was crucified for us. He is risen. We have no encumbrances. God is always merciful. Amen.



+ In nomine Jesu +

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
17 September 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 Matthew 18:29 2 1 Timothy 1:15
3 See Matthew 6:12 4 1 Peter 4:8
5 Colossians 3:13 6 Romans 14:1
7 Romans 14:7-8 8 Matthew 5:7
9 Luke 23:34 10 Acts 7:60
11 Psalm 32:2 12 Isaiah 44:22