Forgiven

Matthew 18:27 - His master had pity on him and forgave him the debt.

Imagine the relief of not owing 15 years' wages! It must have been immense. His wife and his children are still with him. I might have started crying if this were me.

And yet, it was me, and you and all of us. We all have this wonderful gift right at our fingertips. And, like the slave, we must ask. Grace is not forced on us by God. Nor is forgiveness necessarily given by others unless we ask. We acknowledge the ways our lives have been unmanageable. The small things and the big things. It is all forgiven.

Which brings me back to the situation here. The master has somehow decided it wise to lend such a large sum to his slave. Was this irresponsible? Was it irresponsible to borrow that much? Worldly wisdom would say yes. And worldly wisdom would say there's no need for "salvation." Yet, here God is, flinging love around like it's seed he's sowing. It's a crazy situation. And we have a crazy God! The debt can possibly be likened to "free reign" or free will. God has given us freedom to do stupid and dumb things. SOmetimes we hurt or kill others. It seems crazy, yet God forgives us when we acknowledge the harm. The slave knows he has screwed up and promises to make good. When we do the same, we, too, can both forgive ourselves and feel God's forgiveness as well.

The proper response to such a gift is Thank You!
B