Justice, Law, History
The Laws of Justice and Mercy
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Matthew 18:21-35 New International VersionThe Parable of the Unmerciful Servant21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a] 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this, the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” For ReflectionWhen we suffer the results of our folly, we tend to beg for mercy. Our appeals for leniency are sometimes fruitful. If our request was anchored in truth, our repentance should follow. The servant was not honest in his appeal. If he were repentant, he would have offered the same mercy to those indebted to him.
Forgiveness does not always result in repentance. The unrepentant will continue to fall victim to the folly of their selfishness. If one expects a return on mercy, the forgiveness you offer is not a righteous act. PrayPray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray that your desire to forgive does not carry expectations for a return. Pray that those whom you forgive sense no desire for a reciprocal act. Pray and forgive. Pray for those whose debts are forgiven so that they may know the love of God and respond to the Holy Spirit that resides within them.
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