Living LifeWise: The Unmerciful ServantSample

It’s not natural to forgive. Think about the last time someone hurt you—maybe a friend shared something you told her in confidence or a coworker took credit for your idea. Our instinct is to pull away, to hold on to the hurt, maybe even to look for a way to even the score. But forgiveness? That feels impossible. One time? Maybe. Again and again? So hard. Forgiveness isn’t natural, but it is the mark of a Christian. After all, the Lord has forgiven us.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, word gets back to the king that the servant he forgave, whom he released from a debt so massive it was impossible to repay, had turned around and refused to forgive someone else. The king is grieved and calls the servant in, saying, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”

God’s heart is grieved when we refuse to extend the mercy we’ve received. He knows what unforgiveness does to our hearts: it hardens us, isolates us, and keeps us from reflecting His love.

Here’s the truth: mercy isn’t just something we receive from God; it’s something we’re called to share. And we can’t do it in our own strength. Forgiving someone who’s hurt you deeply requires God’s Spirit at work in you. But when we let Him shape our hearts, our lives begin to reflect His mercy, bringing healing and freedom not just to others but to us, too.

Reflect: Contemplate Matthew 18:31-32. Consider how the king responded when the servant refused to show mercy. Reflect on how your own heart responds when you’re called to forgive.

• Why do you think the king was grieved by the servant’s actions?
• What does this reveal about God’s heart toward mercy and forgiveness?
• Is there someone you need to forgive, but you’ve been resisting?

Pray: Pray for God to soften your heart toward those you struggle to forgive, and ask Him to help you reflect His mercy in your relationships.