Forgiveness
S - Matthew 18:21-35 (NASB)
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’30 But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
O- Forgiveness, one of the greatest gifts to receive but one of the hardest gifts to give. Jesus tells of this parable of forgiveness so we will recognize ourselves in it. That we often embrace or even pray for the forgiveness of our heavenly Father, yet when even a close friend or brother has wronged us we expend so much energy trying to get them to right the wrong, even if that is the energy of waiting and holding an offense. Much like in this parable, God expects us to forgive as we have been forgiven. In a way that is how he is restoring his people, through his people.
A - The application for me is in my relations, wife,kids, family, co-workers, bosses, and fellow Christians I am to daily forgive. To ensure as I am coming to my heavenly father for forgiveness I have let go of grudges and ill will to others, even if I have been wronged.
P - God, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you help me to learn to forgive, and teach others forgiveness as you have forgiven and taught me. I pray for my sister Lisa, that your spirit would lead her and guide me as you see fit to help her to know you and know your forgiveness, so that she may begin to forgive.
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