Bible Reading
Matthew 9:1-13 “And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
[51:38]Matthew 18:21-35 “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
[01:07:54]Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
[01:18:46]Observation questions
- In Matthew 9, what does Jesus say to the paralyzed man before healing him, and how do the teachers of the law respond?
- What actions show that Jesus’ call of Matthew was public and unmistakable, rather than private or cautious? [58:14]
- Who gathers at Matthew’s dinner, and what reason does Jesus give for eating with them?
- In the parable of the unforgiving servant, what is the contrast between the debt forgiven by the king and the debt the servant refuses to forgive? [01:13:48]
Interpretation questions
- Why is it significant that Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man? What does this reveal about who Jesus is?
- Tax collectors had harmed their own neighbors and were deeply hated. What does Jesus’ public call of Matthew reveal about God’s mercy toward people whose wrong choices have caused real damage? [57:28]
- Jesus says He desires mercy rather than sacrifice. What might mercy look like when a person has truly done wrong, without pretending that the wrong does not matter?
- The king forgives an impossible debt out of compassion, but the servant immediately demands payment from someone else. Why is receiving God’s forgiveness meant to change the way a believer responds to those who sin against them? [01:17:19]
Application questions
- Is there someone who is easy to dismiss, avoid, or quietly label as undeserving of grace? What would it look like to remember that Jesus loves that person as much as He loves us? [01:00:52]
- Think of a person who consistently rubs you the wrong way. What are one or two specific things you could thank God for about that person—or, if that feels impossible right now, what might be a first step toward asking God to soften your heart? [01:04:22]
- Where might resentment be showing up in your life: in your thoughts, words, prayers, or treatment of someone else? What debt are you still holding over that person?
- Forgiveness does not call evil good or erase the reality of harm. Is there a situation where you need to name the wrong honestly while releasing your desire for revenge or repayment to God? [01:18:46]
- Are you carrying guilt because of something you have done and struggling to believe that God’s forgiveness is real for you? What would it mean to receive His compassion rather than trying to keep paying a debt He has already forgiven? [01:17:33]
- Jesus calls His followers to forgive from the heart. What practical step could help move forgiveness from something you know you should do toward a genuine surrender of the situation to God? [01:18:58]
