12. And forgive us our debts,(sins) as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sinned against us. Matthew6: 12
In the Roman world having an outstanding debt was serious business. It often became a matter of life and death. If you couldn’t pay your debt, you could be thrown in prison or even put to death. Jesus ‘disciples would have understood the seriousness and awesomeness of a forgiven debt.
Jesus told the parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18. A servant owed the King what would amount to billions in our day. He begged for mercy and the King had compassion on him and forgave his enormous debt. That same servant left the king and found a man who owed him a few hundred dollars and grabbed the man by the throat and told him to pay up. When this man cried out for mercy, the servant had him thrown in prison.
Remember the Lord is all about relationships and family. Forgiveness draws the family closer to God. Unforgiveness separates and embitters the ones who should be the most grateful. Unforgiveness hardens the heart and, to me, seems a slap in the face of the One who died paying our debt. As God’s children we are not only forgiven, but must be forgiving.
Daniel Lancaster in his book, “Living Water,” says,” Forgiveness is more than a moral obligation; It is God’s invitation to extend grace and allow healing to take place. God envisions communities as places of restoration where forgiveness flourishes like a gentle rain washing away bitterness and breathing new life into relationships. When communities reflect God’s Kingdom, compassion and reconciliation become the norm. Forgiveness aligns us with his plan, bringing his light into our lives and the lives of those around us.”
Father, God, may be reminded of the exorbitant debt you paid for us and extend that same unbelievable mercy and kindness to others who have sinned against us.
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Journey with Joyce 