As We Forgive Our Debtors
26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?'
(Matthew 18:26-33)
The eighteenth chapter of the book of Matthew is a recounting of several of Jesus' teachings concerning human relationships. This particular lesson is a response to Peter asking Jesus how many times he has to forgive someone who repeatedly sins against him. Behind Peter's question, we might hear that he really wants to know when he can cut someone off from grace. Jesus' answer is, essentially, never - or, more precisely, we can cut someone off from grace as soon as we are ready to be cut off from grace ourselves.
Forgiveness - we all want it and need it, yet we sometimes struggle to give it. When we are asking for forgiveness, we understand that we are asking for grace but, when we are challenged to forgive others, we tend to consider how "deserving" they are. God doesn't forgive us because we deserve it - we don't. God forgives us because God loves us, desires relationship with us, and because it's the only way we can be right with God. The good news is that when we can't find it within ourselves to forgive, we can confess that to God and God will heal the hurt that hinders us. May we continually seek God with humility and transparency so that we can be forgiven as we forgive our debtors, to the glory of God.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. (Psalm 103:8-13)
