Today’s Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
Optional readings: Matthew Ch 17, 18:1-20, Mark Ch 9, Luke 9:28-62
Transfiguration, Discussions with Disciples
When I think of serious emotional injuries in my past, three specific people come to mind. I praise the Lord, though, that I can now recall the injury without feeling the pain of the injury!! This is nothing that I did; it was a total gift from God. I was able to forgive each of them.
I’m sure you can bring certain people to mind as well. Are there any people that owe you an apology, or a debt, or restitution?
If the King in our selected passage today could cancel the huge debt of the servant, couldn’t that same servant had mercy on the man that owed him much less?
Notice that the debt to the King was cancelled. The King didn’t give him more time or less interest or even a decreased balance. He wiped it all away entirely. This act saved his family from slavery, his property from liquidation, his reputation from being ruined. He would have been left with absolutely nothing had the King not forgiven his debt.
It seems perhaps he treated this kindness too cheaply. I don’t think he really understood or appreciated the massive mercy he had just received.
How can someone who has had their serious (dare I say, fatal) debt completely erased not have a change of heart and go forth with that same kind of mercy to others?
For the Christian, refusing to forgive the offenders in our life is problematic for several reasons.
It shows an ungrateful heart for the forgiveness that we have received from God.
It’s disobedient to explicit Biblical commands (i.e. Col 3:13, Eph 4:32).
It keeps us spiritually stuck.
It determines whether God forgives you (Mt 6:14-15, 18:35)
See? It’s serious business. Unforgiveness really only hurts us. A grudge is another powerful tool of the enemy that breeds bitterness, anger, confusion, and malice.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
A bitter spirit is not of the Lord.
Unforgiveness is antithetical to the character of Jesus.
Do I need to wait until they ask for forgiveness?
Nope.
Do I need to tell them I forgive them?
Well, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary (like, what if they’re dead?), but I think it would be a generous, reconciliatory gesture.
Can I just mostly forgive them, but still bring it up every once in a while and maybe roll my eyes when their name is mentioned?
Um…no. The goal is that you can love them the way Jesus loves us when we don’t deserve it.
But you don’t understand, they did horrible things.
Jesus’ heart hurts with yours. He is familiar with suffering. He can help you heal, and He is good judge who knows what they did. Forgive this person because not doing so will only hurt you more. And leave the rest to Him.
Will it require me to swallow my pride?
It may feel that way, but it doesn’t really. That’s just the enemy keeping you all riled up. You’re not swallowing you pride, you’re just trusting God. It’s actually the stronger position. (Though we’re working to get rid of pride anyway, remember? Ha.)
So I have to?
Jesus said, yeah, you do.
Merciful Lord, sometimes when I think of how you’ve forgiven my sin, how you’ve wiped it all completely away, I can hardly catch my breath. It’s amazing to me. You volunteered to pay my debt so I didn’t have to. Forbid that this gospel ever become too familiar to me or that I ever take it for granted. In that mercy I walk, and with that mercy I give up my bitterness, resentment, anger, and unforgiveness. You know how hurt I’ve been and how much control this has over me. I cannot do this in the flesh, so I call on You to give me the strength to do it. And may You alone be glorified in it. Amen.