Reading today:
Matthew 18:21-35
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[f]
23″Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents[g] was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26″The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28″But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[h] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29″His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
30″But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32″Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35″This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Fotnotes:
[f] Matthew 18:22 Or seventy times seven
[g] Matthew 18:24 That is, millions of dollars
[h] Matthew 18:28 That is, a few dollars
Gold verse today:
Matthew 6:12
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
In a courtroom, a young man sitting in the dock. He is charged with murdering their peers. Before the judge read the decision, he asked his father children who become victims, “this young man found guilty of killing your son. According to what punishment you deserve for him? “The old man replied,” Judge, my child only has died. Any penalty will not restore life. I really loved, and now do not have anyone to my loved ones. Please send the accused to my house, to be my son. ”
What is our reaction to people who have hurt us? Wanted to punish him? Trying to make him feel the pain we feel, even if you can suffer more; let me know the taste? Forgiveness is not the case as easy as turning the palm of the hand. However, that’s what God wants us to do (verse 22). Then, how to implement God’s will in our limitations?
First, realize that like the debt, we’d have a lot of debt to God, than anyone else to us. Our sins are so many, by the love of Christ paid in full on the cross. So, if our debt much for the amount already paid in full Lord, why do we still continue to demand other people “pay” its debt to us (verse 33)? Second, realize that holding grudges and hatred in the heart will only cause lack welfare. Only increase the weight. By forgiving we are actually doing good to yourself.
One’s strength lies when he could forgive those who hurt