Power to Forgive:
Forgiving Others
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-34
Key Verse: Matthew 18:35
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant is the subject of our suggested reading section for today. A king decides to settle some outstanding accounts owed to him, according to Jesus’ story. One man owed him 10,000 talents. Since the man could not pay, the king ordered that he, his entire family, and all he owned would be sold to repay the debt. The man begged for mercy. The king had compassion and mercy, setting this man and his family free of all debt!
The story did not end with this merciful act, representing God’s great mercy on us! This man went out from the king, ran into a man who owed him money and demanded payment. This man, who had received such generosity from the king, showed no mercy to his debtor and threw him into prison!
The dramatic ending of this story came as a surprise to all who were listening to Jesus’ story. The king heard about the incident and called the original man back in, threw him in jail to be “tortured,” until he could pay back all he owed. Here are the words that shocked the crowd: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart” (verse 35).
Do you have an unforgiving spirit in your heart toward anyone? You must get through that and find forgiveness for that person. If you don’t, Jesus made the consequences very clear!
Father, search my heart and see if I have any unforgiveness toward another person. I want to be found full of love and mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.