When Jesus spoke of forgiveness in Mt.18 you might be surprised to find that because of the way some of these verses have been used many have come to believe they have powers they were never given. So we need to be careful not to take any scriptures out of context to build a narrative that isn’t there.
But, before we get started I wanted to relate to you something I recently heard that happened in Congress on account of the covid scam. Matt Gaetz, the man Trump has nominated for the new AG, was questioning Sec. Austin about whether he would allow service men and women back into the military who had been thrown out because they would not take the jab. He answered no.
This was in relation to the Secretary having gone through cancer treatment that made it impossible for him to do his job. And never told anyone what he was doing. Admitting that this was a mistake, Matt asked him why he thought he should be forgiven for his mistake but not these others. And used this passage we are looking at today to show him why he believed the commander was wrong.
No matter what we think about the jab, or the context in which this was being applied. It was still very interesting to see the practicality shown by this passage being applied in this case. Especially since the Secretary fell into the same trap that the ungrateful servant did in the parable after the king had forgiven him.
Now beginning in vs.15 after Jesus had taught them about how important it is that they have faith as a child. And that it would be better to have a millstone tied around the neck than to harm one of these little ones. Jesus then said, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
In this Jesus was showing them how to fix a problem between brothers before it gets out of hand. Explaining that it is necessary to go to your brother if he has offended you to clear the air and allow him to apologize. And how by walking in love this matter would never have needed to be addressed this way.
Jesus went on to say “16 But if he will not hear thee(in other words if he refused to walk in love), then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church (assembly): but if he neglect to hear the church(assembly), let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
So this is how to address a problem with a brother who will not apologize for an offense. Not just any offense. But, one that could have caused another to stumble. As in the harm Jesus spoke of done to “one of these little ones”.
Please note that in vs.16 Jesus says “that in the mouth of 2or 3 witnesses every word may be established”. Because this will be very important as we look further in this teaching.
And in vs.17 we see that if he will not apologize he is to be treated as an heathen and a publican. This is not to say he is to be rejected as if he does not exist. Or even that he is no longer to be thought to be a believer. But, only that he will not be allowed to take part with other believers as far as fellowship is concerned.
It’s the same thing Paul said to the fellowship at Corinth when he addressed the man that was having sex with his father’s wife. That man was treated as an heathen and a publican as well. No longer allowed into the fellowship. But, after a time we see in 2Corinthians that he repented of his offense and was allowed back into the fellowship at Paul’s direction.
In this next part of this passage in Mt.18 Jesus shows what it means when what is bound on earth is bound in heaven. He said in connection with the man’s unwillingness to apologize to his brother, “18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Here we see that what is being bound is the man’s offense to himself because he would not apologize or ask his brother to forgive him. And if he would have he would have been loosed from his offense.
I want you to see that this is all about forgiveness. And has nothing to do with binding Satan. Or about loosing God’s power in a situation or circumstance. That nonsense comes from taking scripture out of context. So binding and loosing has only to do with forgiveness.
If the man’s offense is bound to him it is because after going through the process Jesus described here he still would not apologize. So in effect he has done this to himself. As we will see later in Jesus’ teaching here where more evidence is given that proves this is exactly what is going on.
Also when Jesus says if 2 of you will agree touching anything that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father in heaven. He is referring to the man that has been brought before 2 or more to encourage him to apologize for his offense. And when he does he will be loosed from it. And if he does not he will be bound to it.
This is what the 2 are touching as they ask God. The issue of forgiveness or not regarding the man’s offense. He is either bound to it or loosed from it depending upon his willingness or unwillingness to ask forgiveness. This is why Jesus also said in vs.20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
So if you have been going around binding the devil and loosing the power of God all over the place. Don’t expect God to do all sorts of things for you just because you have 2 or 3 agreeing as touching anything. Because that is not what the Bible is talking about here. It’s talking about forgiveness and unforgiveness. Which is walking in love. Or walking in unbelief.
Now after hearing all of this the disciples wondered how much they were supposed to take from a brother who is continually causing offenses. So Peter asked Jesus, “21 Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
I’m sure Peter thought he was being generous when he said 7 times. But, he was missing the point of Jesus’ teaching. Because what Jesus wanted them to see was that when we walk in love forgiving a brother, or anyone for that matter, when they offend us will be automatic. We will forgive them before they ask. Even as soon as the offense comes.
But, this does not absolve the offender for his offense in his own heart. Because as we will see it takes his repentant heart to do that.
This is why Jesus continued by giving them a parable. To show them how binding and loosing works. And why. And what 2 or more asking anything in His name He will do it means.
Jesus told them, 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.(This man had been a regular offender)
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay(This means he was unwilling to apologize), his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.(This shows what can happen to a man who constantly offends and never apologizes)
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.”
Did you see that? Jesus said the Lord of that servant LOOSED him from his debt. Remember the binding and loosing? This is how a man is loosed from his offense. The man apologizes or repents and he is loosed from his offense.
Then Jesus adds to the parable to explain the binding part we just learned about saying, “28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence(his fellow servant owed him an apology): and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.(The man apologized)
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.”
Here we see the one who was loosed from his offense refusing to do the same for a brother who asked him for forgiveness. Binding his brother to his offense in his heart. Not accepting his apology.
So what happens next shows the true result of such a thing. Because “31 when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?”
Here Jesus shows what forgiveness can do to a man. He said, “34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
So forgiveness puts us in a prison that torments us by keeping us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love. And having that love shed abroad in our hearts. So that we walk in love toward others all the time. To experience the hope and joy God’s love brings.
But, how is he to pay all that was due to the king if he is in jail? Remember, this is about forgiveness and walking in love. Not about money. So he is able to pay by forgiving his brother when he apologized for the offense he had caused. Because the torment in prison is forgiveness. And the only way out is to forgive.
So we must practice loving one another. To the point where when an offense comes forgiveness of the offense becomes automatic. And asking forgiveness or apologizing becomes just as automatic.
Almost to the point where it seems we don’t even consciously think about forgiving them. We just do it because we have learned to love as God does. Because remember when we love as God does we do not impute sin.
And we will see that by taking some of these verses out of context we will apply them in a way that is not Biblical. Expecting our prayers to be answered in a way that God never intended. And as James says we end up asking amiss.
Jesus told this parable to help Israel see that they need to love as God loves them to have the kind of relationships God wants us to have with each other. The kind of relationship we have with Jesus when we trust in Him for eternal life.
And if you haven’t trusted in Jesus but want to have eternal life confess with your mouth that He is Lord. And believe in your heart that He has raised from the dead. Paul said in Rom.10:9,10 that this is how we are saved from death to life. From natural to spiritual. And from mortal to immortal.
If you will do this then you will have eternal life now as God creates in you a spirit that never existed before. A spirit that makes you His child and therefore an heir to His kingdom in heaven. If you will do this then you will receive a new immortal body at the resurrection. If you will do this… then I will see you there or in the air!
