Forgive, Just As You Have Been Forgiven
LENT 2022 | DAY 22
Matthew 18 (NIV)
(Yulia Jomono, Assistant Pastoral Care Zone 9 Leader, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Matthew 18, focusing on 18:21-35 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In Matthew 18, Jesus responded to Peter’s question about how many times he needed to forgive a brother or sister who has sinned against him. Peter expected that Jesus would ask him to forgive up to seven times, which was considered very generous. However, Jesus replied that he was to forgive up to seventy-seven times or seventy times seven. In other words, he urged Peter to do away with all the calculation, as forgiveness is to be limitless.
Jesus shared a parable to illustrate his point. The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. A man owed ten thousand bags of gold or about twenty years of a day labourer’s wages. It was impossible for him to settle due to the massive amount and the interest to be paid. The master ordered the man, his wife and children to be sold into slavery to repay the debt. He begged for mercy, as he and his family would live in slavery. His master took pity on him, cancelled the debt, and let him go.
However, the man did not show mercy on a fellow servant who owed him a hundred silver coins or about one hundred days of a day labourer’s wage. He threw the man in prison until he could repay the debt. In the end, the master learned about his behaviour and was angry with the unmerciful servant. He was thrown into prison and tortured until he could repay all that he owed. The story ended with a warning that the Heavenly Father will treat us in the same way unless we forgive our brother or sister from the heart.
APPLY:
We are often like the unmerciful servant. We have been forgiven a tremendous debt by our Heavenly Father, which we could never repay. He took pity on us, forgave our sins, and set us free from slavery. He also delivered our family and our next generation to enjoy the freedom in Christ. However, we are often very calculative with others. We are often unwilling to let go of the offences that others have committed against us. We pursue the matter and think that they deserve to be punished for their offenses. Our hearts are hardened and calloused. We forget that we were shown mercy and our lives belong to Him.
It is a good reminder that we are to forgive others countless times. If we are unable to show mercy to others, our Heavenly Father will not forgive our sins. Furthermore, we are to forgive others sincerely from the heart.
DO:
I will ask the Lord to examine my heart daily. If I have held on to any anger or bitterness against others, I pray that He will enable me to release forgiveness despite my stubbornness and pride. Some people may be more challenging to forgive due to the hurt which they had inflicted. However, I choose to forgive them, simply because I have been forgiven. I will continue to let the Lord show me people whom I need to release, so that God’s mercy and grace may flow freely in my life.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son to die on the Cross for our sins. Thank You that by faith in Christ, we are clothed in His Righteousness Thank You, Jesus for dying that I might be forgiven. I now choose to forgive from my heart and release from my judgement all those who have ever hurt me or offended me. I will no longer hold on to any anger, hatred and bitterness against them. I release them into the freedom of my forgiveness. Today, I receive your mercy, grace and healing into my heart. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
