No Messenger Newsletter UFN (see News Section)

Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive?
(Matt 18:21)

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Mat 18:21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"
Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
Mat 18:23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
Mat 18:24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;
Mat 18:25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
Mat 18:27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.'
Mat 18:29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
Mat 18:30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Mat 18:33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?'
Mat 18:34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
Mat 18:35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

NSRV & Believer's Study Bible (BSB) Notes

[Mat 18:22] Four hundred and ninety is not a magic number for forgiveness. Instead Jesus confronts Peter with the truth that the spirit of forgiveness really knows no boundaries.

[Mat 18:23] (vv. 23-35) To illustrate further why men ought to forgive one another the comparatively small offenses which divide them, Jesus told a parable to illumine God's greater forgiveness. The sum which the first servant owed to the king was exorbitant. If the Attic talent is intended, about 6,000 denarii were involved in just one Attic talent. Remembering that a denarius was a day's normal wage, the poor fellow owed something like 60,000,000 denarii. Even a nobleman could not have amassed such a fortune in a lifetime. On the other hand, the fellow servant owed only 100 denarii. After finding mercy from the king even to the extent of the cancellation of his debt, this abominable fellow subjected his fellow servant to the most stringent punishment for his failure to produce a far lesser sum.

[Mat 18:24] Monies,Weights,and Measures (see chart).

Readings for the week of September 20th
Sixthteenth Sunday after Pentecost
First: Jonah 3: 10-4:11
Psalm 145: 1-8
Second: Romans 14: 1-12
Gospel: Matthew 20: 1-16

Sunday Worship Services at 9:00am and 11:00am (see News Section for details)
Sunday School Suspended UFN

Thursday Bible Study (Library) 10:30 am (Suspended UFN)
Holy Communion Service (Sanctuary) Noon