Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 18:21-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21Then 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?" Verse 22Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Verse 23"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. Verse 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; Verse 25and, 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. Verse 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' Verse 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. Verse 28But 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.' Verse 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' Verse 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. Verse 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Verse 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Verse 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' Verse 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. Verse 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
Devotion
Practicing forgiveness towards those who have deeply hurt us has to be one of the most difficult of Christian disciplines. Often it feels impossible. “I can never forgive them for what they did!” we vow. What gives us the power to forgive is a new Spirit — the Spirit of the risen Christ undergoing crucifixion, who cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
At the very least, we need a new perspective — the perspective we get at the foot of the cross. The offenses we have suffered at the hands of others are typically quite small compared to the grace we have received. If we are going to keep a careful accounting of the sins committed against us, we had better be ready to keep an equally careful tally of the sins we have committed against God.
Prayer
God of grace, overwhelm me once again with your extravagant forgiveness, so that I might have the power to let go of my resentment toward those who have hurt me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.