Jesus told the parable of a man who was forgiven an enormous debt only to turn around and try to get the pitance that was owed him by another man.
When I read this parable, I wonder if I live in the light of God's generosity. The unmerciful servant could have been unmerciful for two reasons. First, he could have rationalized that the debt he owed wasn't that big of a deal (surely, his master was rich and didn't really need the money owed him). He could have not taken his own debt relief seriously and returned right back to his habit of money grubbing since unlike his rich master he really needed the money that was owed him.
Second, he could not really have accepted that his debt was forgiven. Maybe he went looking for the man who owed him money so he could pay back the debt he owed.
Either way, the results were the same. He failed to extend mercy to his fellow servant.
I wonder when I see this story where I am. Do I recognize my need for mercy? And if I do, do I work and live as if I'm not really forgiven? Has God's mercy really penetrated my heart so that it is given to others?
Father, teach me to receive your mercy. Plant your mercy deep in my soul. Let it grow rich in me so that it is given naturally to others.
No comments:
Post a Comment