Scripture
Matthew 18:34 – 35 – “And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Observation
These are the last verses Jesus tells the disciples in the parable of the unforgiving servant. The master forgives the servant of a debt so large that he can never repay and gives him freedom. The servant receives payment of the debt from his master and promptly goes out and chokes out a fellow servant has him thrown in prison for a minor debt he is owed. If we don’t forgive others, not just in speak, but from the heart, we will not be forgiven by the Father.
Application
This parable greatly illustrates our need to recognize and our dependence on our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through His grace, God the Father, completely forgave us of our sin debt against Him which is something we are never going to be able to pay. Our slate has been wiped clean by the Creator of the universe, yet we can’t forgive someone who we perceived to have wronged us. Easier said than done, but this is the grace and love of the gospel where the power of the Holy Spirit allows us to forgive others even though it hurts. We do not have to like or agree with the action, but we need to be forgiving and remember that hurt people hurt people. Jesus warns us here and in the verse at the end of the Lord’s Prayer that if we do not forgive others, the Father will not forgive us.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for you love and grace in sending Jesus to forgive me and pay my sin debt in full. Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to be one who extends grace to forgive others. May people see you through my forgiveness.