Man Freed from an Unforgiving Temper by the Gentle Influences of the Divine Love
Matthew 18:23-35
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.…


A traveller in Burmah, after fording a certain river, found his body covered all over by a swarm of small leeches, busily sucking his blood. His first impulse was to tear the tormentors from his flesh; but his servant warned him that to pull them off by mechanical violence would expose his life to danger. They must not be torn off, lest portions remain in the wounds and become a poison; they must drop off spontaneously, and so they will be harmless. The native forthwith prepared a hath for his master, by the decoction of some herbs, and directed him to lie down in it. As soon as he had bathed in the balsam the leeches dropped off. Each unforgiven injury rankling in the heart is like a leech sucking the lifeblood. Mere human determination to have done with it, will not cast the evil thing away. You must bathe your whole being in God's pardoning mercy; and these venomous creatures will instantly let go their hold. You will stand up free.

(W. Arnot.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

WEB: Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.




the Preacher and His Hearers
Top of Page
Top of Page