Wednesday, March 9
Scripture: Matthew 18:23-34

“Therefore 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.”

THE GREATER DEBT

My husband and I recently purchased our first home. Although we saved for a down payment, it covered a fraction of the entire cost. Every once in awhile I take a deep breath when thinking about how much we owe and how far away 30 years seems. Unless we pay it off sooner than scheduled, we will be making future payments for longer than I've currently been alive. Yet our mortgage pales in comparison to the servant's debt in this parable, which can only be described as crushingly inescapable. According to various commentators, ten thousand talents is the modern equivalent of billions of dollars. In contrast, one hundred denarii would be a few thousand. Here it is easy to distinguish the greater debt from the lesser because the comparison is monetarily expressed. But life isn't as simple and the "debts" we forgive often inflict pain. The film "The Unmerciful Servant" reveals the complexity of hurt and forgiveness as it exists in this world. From a human perspective, it is a story involving one innocent person and one guilty where the lines dividing the two are clearly drawn. It is often easy to forget our own perpetual need for God's forgiveness. When the fallen actions of others disrupt our lives in tangible ways, our vision becomes blurry and we confuse lesser debts for greater ones.

Where do you see yourself in the parable?

As the king who has no debts, beneficently dispensing mercy and justice?

As the servant whose debt is minimal and, in comparison to the other guy, is doing really well?

In reality, we all stand in the position of the first servant with the greater debt - in need of God's mercy - and, inevitably, we step into the shoes of the second servant when we sin against each other. It is difficult to forgive, especially if you feel that the other person involved does not take responsibility for their actions. In a recent Bible study on forgiveness, I remember the leader saying that holding something against someone is to insist that sin be paid for twice - once by Christ and once again by the individual.

In The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer beautifully recasts the act of forgiveness as not only something motivated and made possible by Christ, but as the Christian's participation with Christ. He writes: "While it is true that only the sufferings of Christ are a means of atonement, yet since he has suffered for and borne the sins of the whole world and shares with his disciples the fruits of his passion, the Christian  . . . too has to bear the sins of others. . . . But he would certainly break down under this burden, but for him who bore the sins of all. The passion of Christ strengthens him to overcome the sins of others by forgiving them."

Although we share the unmerciful servant's need for forgiveness, we only share his title if we refuse to forgive others.  

PRAYER
O Lord help us to taste and see that you are good as we reflect on the great mercy you have shown us in Christ. Turn our affections to you, that we may find peace in forgiveness. In our moments of hurt and sorrow, remind us that any sin we encounter in this world is lesser because you have already born the greater. Fill our hearts with mercy that we may carry the burdens of others and fulfill your command of love.
Amen.

Amy Rigall, Alumna, Department of Art