Unforgiven
At times I think we have become an unforgiving people.
Peter came and said to Jesus, "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 would 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 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." - Matthew 18:21–35
Today's parable in Matthew's Gospel is more than a story of forgiveness. It shows us an example of what God expects of us when it comes to how we treat one another.
The king started out prepared to punish the slave who had failed to pay his debt, but he relented and showed grace when the slave asked for mercy.
This, Jesus tells us, is how God is toward us. But it is important for us to see that God wants us to be the same way toward one another. We should show mercy or the mercy shown us may be taken away.
It is a contract we make with God, and God will exact payment if we fail to keep up our end of the bargain. If I seek God's grace, I assure God that I will be as graceful toward those who seek it from me.
It's only fair, right? What goes around, comes around.
How I treat others in this world is how I would like to be treated in the next.
Now that's a big deal, since the next lasts a hell of a lot longer than this.
More to come...