Theology in a Parable

Parables have points but maybe not as many as we see. Our Matthew 18:23ff parable is one of Jesus' most convicting. It was given in response to Peter's question on how many times should we be forgiving those who sin against us. It is important to remember why a parable is being told. The why usually gives us the point of the parable. So slave #1 is forgiven $100,000,000 by the king, and then slave #1 holds slave #2 to a much smaller debt having him thrown into prison. The other slaves see this and tell on slave #1. The king who was previously moved to compassion is now moved to anger, summons slave #1, unforgives the previously forgiven debt, and has him thrown into prison with the torturers. The theological problem comes in when the king reversed his forgiveness and now holds slave #1 responsible for a canceled debt. Of course a king can do that. But can God? Would God? Doesn't God forgive and forget forever? We sure hope so. Where is our security if he can reverse his decisions and judgments? Of course this would be a great opportunity to rub this passage in the Calvinist's face. It sure attacks the notion of "once saved, always saved" or perseverance of the saints. But, as much as I would like to make the point, I would be doing an injustice to the parable. This is not Jesus' point.

So what is His point. He makes it in the last verse. "So shall my heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (18:35) Remember God was willing to forgive slave #1. Slave # 1 was unwilling to forgive slave #2. Peter's question was how many times should I forgive my debtors. The answer is often, willingly, and from the heart. The reason is because we need God to forgive us often, willingly, and from His heart. None of this game playing. None of this trying to work the system. None of this making up the rules as we go. It is simple. Forgive often, willingly and from the heart. Any other standard will get us in trouble with the king. It seems to me this is plenty of theology for one parable and is much more theology than we can stand. We struggle to apply these truths.

So let's be careful in our interpretations so not to make more of a parable than Jesus intended. Let's not exasperate the king who has forgiven us by treating our fellow slaves differently.