Canceled

Jesus' idea of cancel culture is a lot different than ours.

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” - Luke 7:36-50

When challenged by those who thought Jesus failed to know what sins the woman had committed, he told them a parable about canceling debts.

It is clear that those for whom the greatest debt is canceled will be more thankful than those who had a small debt.  All are thankful.  All benefit.  But the greater the debt, the greater the appreciation.

So, why not forgive greater debts?  It leads to more devout believers, right?

We may read this and think of Jesus forgiving debts to God and say that is something we cannot do, but we could forgive debts we hold, can't we?

Yes, it hurts to do that.  We are the ones making the sacrifice, so we may think it is much easier for Jesus to forgive than it is for us.

But as believers, we are called to be like him.

So, maybe we should take stock.  Does anyone owe us?  It doesn't need to be money.  It could be that we are waiting for a thank you, or for someone to say "I'm sorry."

Would it hurt to write those off?  Why not call and let them know all is good between us and them?

More to come...