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Last Sunday, I preached about the incredible promise Jesus offers when we can agree with those closest to us (Matthew 18:19-20).  The Greek word for agreement is “symphony.”  So when we “symphonize” with someone Jesus promises that God will fulfill what we ask.  The opposite of agreement is obviously disagreement, which leads to the BIG topic of forgiveness.  This passage then immediately continues with Peter asking, “How often should I forgive someone, seven times?”  Jesus answers, “No.  70x7 times” (Matt. 18:21-22).  Wow!

            Jesus follows up with the parable of the Ungrateful Debtor, about a slave who was forgiven a debt he could never repay.  This same slave, however, can’t forgive his neighbor a debt that is paltry in comparison.  Peter’s question and the parable is the Gospel for this Sunday (Matt. 18:21-35).  The big lesson is humility. 

            Let’s be honest.  We all know stories of broken hearts and the terrible hurts people do to each other.  And we ask, “How do I forgive?  Do I have to forgive?”  Seven times is a lot!  But 490 times?!  I don’t have easy answers to any of these questions.  I know I feel that Jesus often commands us to do something we can’t do; and also promises benefits we don’t believe.  I think we lack the self-denying will to try what he commands and the trusting imagination to see how he can fulfill his promises.  NONE of that is easy, but this after all is the Jesus who promised new life and accomplished it by dying and being raised.  Do we trust him, do we trust his way?

            We pray every Sunday in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”  It’s humbling—what I mean is, I’m often not humble, and I need to BE HUMBLED, meaning I can’t do it myself; someone (the Holy Spirit) has to do that to me.  The Good News is that Jesus humbles us with Grace and Mercy by forgiving us in ways we can never repay.  There is judgment in the Parable of the Ungrateful Debtor and a command to forgive, but let’s not lose the incredible statement—assertion even!—that we are forgiven!

Peace,

Pr. Christian