As we continue in the Gospel of Luke this Sunday, Jesus has more to say about how we are to grow in our family resemblance to our heavenly Father.
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you (Luke 6:37-38).
In other words, as Jesus had just said at the close of our passage last week, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36).” Those to whom God has shown mercy should be the most eager to show mercy. Unlike the guy in this story Jesus told.
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay what you owe.” So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” 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. (Matthew 18:23–35)
Darin Earley will be preaching Luke 6:37-42 for us this Sunday and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare?
And for ourselves, we’re probably more like this wicked servant than we’d like to admit. Let’s pray that God would make us merciful people by blowing our minds with the depths of His mercy and the lovingkindness of Jesus who didn’t come “into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17).”
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
Song Link of the Week
His Mercy Is More by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more