Thoughts for the Day

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 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.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 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. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

It is difficult not to see that today when tragedies happen and people are hurt, their pain can turn to anger very quickly. So when a loved one dies, we can quickly look for someone to blame. Counsellors know this is often part of the cycle of bereavement, but nevertheless it can be difficult to be on the receiving end of such anger. It is also hard to watch as grieving families announce to television cameras, "I will never forgive them!"

Our parable of the 'Unforgiving Servant' (or 'slave') makes it all too clear that this is not how God's Kingdom works. The king has forgiven the man his debt, but he then throws another who owes him money into prison. The comparison is stark: God forgives us again and again, day after day. No matter what our sin against Him, he forgives us when we confess. We, in our turn are to forgive others, again and again, in the same way.

There is one little sting in the tail, though. Jesus says we are to forgive others from our heart! It is no good offering forgiveness if we harbour hatred and anger in our heart. It will only damage us!

Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to forgive others,
not just once, but again and again.
We cannot do this on our own,
and need Your help to forgive other people
wholeheartedly and from the heart.
Help us to remember how often
we are forgiven,
and enable us to do the same.
Amen.