Chapter 18

"Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?"

Have you ever given someone space to enter during traffic, only for them not to extend the same to others? It really opens my mind to the blinded, selfish, driven nature of us, as humans. Jesus talked of a parable about a debtor who owed 10,000 to his master. The debtor is forgiven of the debt, but when he goes out and meets someone who owed him 100, he refuses to hear his plea or forgive him, just as he was forgiven. He, in fact, sends him to jail. This leads to the master finding out and sending the debtor to prison till he pays the 10,000. 

In Matthew 18:35, Jesus likens this to the Kingdom, saying "My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." Humans have a tendency to forget the good and remember the bad. We tend to forget that we ourselves could not enter the kingdom. It was only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and unmerited grace and mercy that we are able to enter the Kingdom.

We ought to extend this same grace and love in our workplaces, families, and day-to-day life. Forgive the person who stepped on you in public transport. Forgive your coworker who is always loud and on your case. Forgive your parents if they did not show up. Forgive your family if they have forsaken you. Forgive your friend who betrayed you. Forgive your friends who lied to you. WE WERE DEAD IN SIN, we greatly violated and sinned against God. IN HIS MERCIES, HE FORGAVE US. LET US FORGIVE OTHERS AS WELL

Our prayer today is that God may give us the strength and boldness to forgive those around us, and give us the courage to reconnect with those whom we banished from our lives because of anger. teach us to be like you, teach us to forgive. In Jesus’ name, Amen

"Jesus, teach us to forgive just as you forgave us, the underserving"