ONE of the ugliest features of fallen human nature―insensibility to divine grace―is exposed in all its hideousness in the parable of the Two Servants (Matt. 18:23-35). It happened on this wise. Peter had just inquired of the Lord if seven times would suffice for the forgiveness of an erring brother, and had received the startling reply, “Until seventy times seven.” The parable before us was added immediately, and in it the exceeding grace of God and the incorrigible evil of man stand clearly revealed.
The outline of the parable is as follows: A certain King, in taking account of his servants, found one who owed him ten thousand talents―about three millions sterling in English money. The defaulter being penniless, the King ordered himself, and his wife, children and goods to be sold. In his distress the debtor fell at his master’s feet, crying: “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” The King’s heart being moved with compassion, the whole vast debt was immediately remitted. Presently the forgiven one met a fellow-servant who owed him a hundred pence―about three pounds in our currency; and instead of extending to him clemency after the pattern of that which had been so recently shown to himself, he seized him by the throat saying: “Pay me that thou owest.” In his utter heartlessness, he gave no heed to the tears of his fellow, but cast him into prison until payment should be made.
This parable may be read both dispensationally and morally. Dispensationally it presents to us the history of the people of Israel. Centuries of law-breaking had made them serious defaulters before the Son of God came into the world, and to all this they added the enormous guilt of shedding His blood. In answer to Ills gracious prayer, “Father, forgive them,” divine favor was shown to the nation after the Holy Ghost came down from heaven. To Israel first the Gospel of divine forgiveness was sent (Acts 3:26). This, instead of melting their hearts, only served to bring out their utter moral insensibility to God’s goodness. Scorning the Gospel for themselves, in their hatred to the Gentiles they put every obstacle in the way of its being preached to them (1 Thess. 2:16). This has filled their cup of iniquity to the brim. They are now suffering divine chastisement until their term is accomplished, and they have received of Jehovah’s hand double for all their sins (Isa. 40:2).
We must read this parable morally also. Viewed from this standpoint, it appeals loudly to us all. Every man is a defaulter in relation to God. Perfect obedience and love is His due from us, but who among us has ever rendered it? Yet the heart of God yearns over all His bankrupt debtors; and, on the basis of the atoning blood of Jesus, He proclaims full pardon to everyone. Myriads profess to have received His pardon. “I believe in the forgiveness of sins” is the language of multitudes in Christendom daily. But conduct alone proves whether or not the grace of God has really penetrated the soul. Where this is the case, the forgiven one gratefully walks in the spirit of grace towards all, meekly enduring wrong, and sincerely seeking every man’s eternal good. Those who content themselves with saying “Lord, Lord,” while not doing the things that He says, will find themselves ultimately in the place of the wicked servant of our parable, who was severely denounced by his lord for his hypocrisy and evil and was forthwith delivered to the tormenters. “He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy” (James 2:13). Our God will be satisfied with nothing less than reality in those who have to do with Him.