Matthew 18:21-35
Act 1: To make sense of this first scene, we must remember that Jesus exaggerates, and he does it deliberately. The point he is making is that the first servant owes more than he can pay, more than his family can pay, more than all his family and all his friends together can pay. Not only in just their lifetime, but in many lifetimes. And, for that matter, it is a debt greater than any one person could accumulate in his lifetime!
So the first servant enters the king’s hall where he sits on his throne. On either side of the king stands a soldier, armed and ready to either defend the king or to attack an enemy approaching. Our servant is well dressed, because he has been spending money like he has it. But he hesitates as he approaches the throne. He’s trembling. He knows the king is going to call him to account, and he knows he can’t pay what he owes.
Next, let’s look at the king. His initial reaction is capitalistic. He’s lost a lot of money from this man, and he will try to recover as much as he can. It won’t be enough, but at least it will be something.
The king looks at his records, then at the man before him.
King: My goodness! You owe me ten thousand talents! How did you spend that much money?
Servant 1 doesn’t answer.
King: So can you pay it back? Any of it?
Servant 1 shakes his head.
King: You don’t have any of it left?
Servant 1 drops his head but says nothing.
King: Very well. (motioning to the guards.) Take this man and his wife and children and anyone and anything else in his house. Sell them for whatever you can get. Put the proceeds in my treasury. (He shakes his head.) It won’t make a dent in what he owes me, but it’s all I can get.
Servant 1 (dropping to his knees and pleading): Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.
King (raising his hand to stop the guards, he sighs): Very well. You have been a good slave, serving me well. I forgive you the entire debt. Release him. Let him go.
The guards return to their posts beside the king.
The servant prostrates himself and shouts out his gratitude.
Servant: “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” over and over again.
King: Go, you are freed from your debt.
The servant dances out of the hall. The burden he has been carrying day and night, that has kept him awake at night, knowing the consequences, has vanished in smoke. Poof! It’s gone! He’s not a free man in the sense we understand “free,” but he is no longer a debtor. He owes nobody anything.
The curtain falls to end Act 1.
Act 2: The servant walks out into the courtyard, skipping.
Servant 1: I’m out of debt! He forgave it all! (He stops, looking puzzled for a moment. Then he smiles.) Oh! That means any money I get now stays in my own pocket. The king can’t take it, because he forgave me the whole debt. (He waves his hands in the air and skips to the middle of the stage.)
Enter servant 2, who happens to pass in front of the forgiven servant.
They exchange glances.
Servant 2: Good morning.
Servant 1: It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
Servant 2: The sun is shining and the wind is not blowing. So yes, it is. (He walks on.)
Servant 1 (grabbing Servant 2’s arm): Not so fast! You owe me five bucks, due a week ago. Pay up!
A crowd gathers around them.
Servant 2 (reaches into his pocket and pulls out three quarters, a dime, and four pennies): It’s all I have! I had to buy groceries to feed my family. I get paid at the end of the week. Take this. Give me time, and I’ll pay it off as I can.
People in the crowd (nodding): Just be patient. He’ll pay. We know him. He’s honorable.
Servant 1 (calling for a guard): Take this man and throw him in debtor’s prison until he repays what he owes me.
The crowd grumbles, and a few of them head to the king’s castle.
The curtain falls to end Act 2.
Act 3: Back in the king’s hall. The guards who were standing by the king’s throne now hold Servant 1 by his arms. He’s trembling more than before because he sees the expression on the king’s face.)
The king is no longer seated majestically on his throne. He’s standing erect, holding out his scepter. His face is contorted with anger.
King: You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? (motions to the guards) Take him away to the torture chamber. He will not leave until he has paid his entire debt!
The curtain falls as the guards drag the servant out of the hall. He is screaming for mercy, but the king only shakes his head and stomps back up to his throne.
And as we leave the theater, we have questions. Does the king represent God? Are we the first servant? What is our debt? Why is it so huge?
For consideration
General questions
- How does this story follow its Scripture?
2. How does this story expand its Scripture for you?
3. What is the message of this story?
4. How does the message apply to us today?
Specific questions
5. Does the king represent God?
6. Are we the first servant?
7. What is our debt?
8. Why is it so huge?
