9 Billion Dollars

If we know God and have received pardon for all our sins, then we must forgive our fellow man when he or she sins against us.

9 Billion Dollars

"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

(Matthew 18:28-35)

One hundred denarii is about 100 days wages for a common laborer. By way of comparison, we will use our modern currency. Today, the average day's wage is around $150 US Dollars, so the man was owed $15,000. A talent was around 75 pounds of silver during Roman times. One talent was worth 6,000 denarii. So, the man owed his master 10,000 talents, and each talent is 6,000 denarii, which means he owed him $9 billion in US Dollars. It is a staggering contrast, and Jesus meant for it to be. He did not want us to miss the clear teaching, His one main point. Surely, since the man was forgiven such an enormous amount, he should have forgiven the person who owed him a small fraction of the amount he was forgiven.

Spiritually, we can see the truth Jesus is communicating to us today. If we know God and have received pardon for all our iniquities and transgressions (yes, our sins), then we must forgive our fellow man when he or she sins against us.

What happens when we forgive as Jesus teaches, and what happens when we choose not to forgive?

I would point you to Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, who was murdered at Utah Valley University on September 10 in Utah last year while debating students in an open area. She forgave the man who killed her husband and the father of their two small children. One could just see the peace that resulted from that act of her will. People who do not know Christ think this is very strange and bizarre. Our world knows revenge all too well, but Jesus shows us a better way: the way of forgiveness.

When Jesus was suffering and dying on the cross for my sins and yours, He forgave those who were killing Him and even prayed that the Father would forgive them as well. (Luke 23:34: "Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.'")

If you know Christ and have been forgiven all your sins, and you are finding it hard to forgive someone who has hurt or treated you unfairly, pause, and ask Jesus to help you. You cannot do it on your own, and He does not expect you to.