I'm Gonna Teeyeellllll

Read Matthew 18:21-35

Context: Jesus has just paid the temple tax with a drachma coin found in the mouth of a fish. His disciples then came to him and asked who was the greatest in heaven. He talked about how we must become like a little child and told the parable of the lost sheep.

Text:
21At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

23-25"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

26-27"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

28"The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'

29-31"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

32-35"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy." (The Message)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I took today's verses from The Message version because we are so familiar with it. The parable Jesus gives is memorable and important for us to know if we want to receive the forgiveness he has to offer. But the reason I like this passage isn't because of the parable, it's because of Peter's question that started the whole thing.

Did you catch the first few words? "Peter got up the nerve to ask"? Since when has he been shy? I can imagine all the disciples sitting in a clump at Jesus' feet. Andrew and Peter are on opposite sides, glaring at each other. Obviously Andrew did something to Peter the night before and Peter has had it. It was probably the eighth time Andrew has done this thing, and Peter is hoping he can get retribution this time. He hints at the wrong in an attempt to tattle publicly, hoping that Jesus will take the bait and ask what the offense was. What a classic example of acting like a little child -- it's obvious they are both destined to be great in heaven!

Of course, Jesus knows better and he changes the subject toward the forgiveness, not the dirty deed. I can just imagine Andrew sitting there with his arms crossed, a smug look on his face while Peter pouts at the answer, can't you?