Read: Matthew 18:21-35
Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? (v. 33)
We are a week into the New Year and likely all of us have something to repent of and someone to forgive. We are imperfect people living in a world tainted by sin. Just as we are often slow to repent (admit we’ve wronged God or others), we’re also often slow to forgive others (we hold their sin against them or are unwilling to let go of the pain they caused us).
In Matthew 18, Jesus addresses repentance and forgiveness. In the parable, the master forgave a servant who repented. The servant in turn refused to forgive someone who was in debt to him, though the debt was significantly less. The master heard about it, and shocked and dismayed, called out his servant on whom he had just bestowed grace (v. 33). The point: we must confess our sin to God and as he forgives us, we must be willing to forgive those who sin against us and repent.
As we journey through the year ahead, repentance and forgiveness are two actions that we should resolve to practice regularly. We can repent and ask for forgiveness from God and others when we have fallen short, starting with the words “I’m sorry.” We can forgive others, as God graciously forgives us. What can you repent of today and who does God want you to forgive?
As you pray, include these words Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
About the Author
Rev. Steve Petroelje is a specialized transition pastor who serves vacant churches and helps them assess health, pursue missional effectiveness, and conduct a pastoral search process. He is the past-president of the Words of Hope Board of Trustees.
