Scripture Note
Matt. 18:23   “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants…”

The Kingdom Leads with Forgiveness
This phrase from Matthew 18 begins with a drum roll…“the kingdom of heaven is like!”  It is the announcement that what follows will be profoundly impactful in our present journey as kingdom people.  It is not a future statement, it is a present statement.  Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom, and so, when we hear “the kingdom of heaven is like” it demands all of our attention and all of our commitment to see and to believe.  I often insert some casual phrases like “this is the way it really is,” or “this is how the family works” in order to help the parable come to life in my present walk.  Forgiveness is the Way of the Kingdom. (more…)