Tuesday 17 March 2009
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you? And in his anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would 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." (v.33-35)
Background
Chapter 18 of Matthew's Gospel is all about how we live lifetogether in Christian community. Our discipleship can never simplybe about 'me' and my relationship with God.
Recall the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, "Forgive oursins as we forgive those who trespass against us" (
In verse 21, Peter wants clarity on this forgiveness, "Lord, ifanother member of the church sins against me, how often should Iforgive?" He has understood the need to be generous. His brotherdeserves a second chance, maybe even seven chances! Jesus responds"not seven times, but seventy times seven." In other words, a largenumber, impossible to count on your fingers. If we keep count ofthe wrongs, we are not forgiving as God forgives. Forgiveness isnot about calculation, but rather about an attitude, a spirit ofgenerosity.
Jesus makes the point with a parable. In it, the servant had messedup big time! 10,000 talents equalled 150,000 years' wages for alabourer. It would exceed the taxes of the whole region - it'sbeyond calculation. The debt is unpayable. Yet mercy is showed.Grace upon grace - no strings attached.
Then the same servant remembers that a fellow servant owes him 100denarii, or 100 days' wages. This man asks for mercy just as hedid. But none is shown. The man is thrown into prison until thedebt is paid. (It's worth pondering how the debt can be paid ifhe's in prison!) Forgiveness has been received by the servant butit is not shown to his brother.
In the end, the servant receives the same treatment he gave toothers. How we treat others affects both our relationship with themand our relationship with God.
To Ponder
Who are you struggling to forgive at themoment?
What does this passage say to us in a time ofeconomic recession where banks are being given large handoutswhilst some individuals struggle to pay the mortgage or the foodbills?
In the story, it was the man's fellow servantswho protested and reported his wrongdoing to the master. What doesthis say about our life together as a Christian community and howwrong is exposed?