Forgive as the Lord Forgave You

Matthew 18:32b-33, Colossians 3:13b

In the Bible, Jesus tells us a story about a servant who owed his master incredible debt. Something like a million dollars in today’s currency.

The master called his servant in and told him to pay and pay now or else he would throw him and his entire family into debtors prison. The servant pleaded with him, have mercy, give me time, and I will repay everything I owe. The master was moved by this plea. And in fact, didn’t just give him more time, but actually canceled that tremendous debt.

Later that day, that servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount of money. Maybe something like one thousand dollars in todays money. And he demanded that he pay, and pay now, or else he would throw him into debtors prison. This servant as well, pleaded for mercy. But the first servant refused and had him arrested and hauled away.

The master called in that servant and said this to him.

‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ – Matthew 18:32b-33

Jesus words remind us of the forgiveness that he desires us to have for our fellow man. So often we can be filled with much anger and resentment that we don’t want to forgive one another. Maybe they have wronged us too many times. Maybe they have hurt us so deeply. But he reminds us in this lesson, of the incredible debt he has forgiven us. He encourages us in Colossians chapter 3.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:13b

The next time, as you think about someone who has wronged you and how deeply they have hurt you, remember God’s forgiveness and mercy he has showered upon you. That he has not punished you as your sins deserve. That he has not just forgiven a debt of one day’s sins or one year’s sins, but a lifetime, millions upon million of sins forgiven, canceled completely.

Your debt has been wiped clear with Christ and what he has done. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Amen.

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