David Bahn – Reflections

In the land of “I did it my way,” and “If it is to be, it is up to me,” it is easy to lose sight of our need for others. We are a fiercely independent lot. We have self-reliance down to an art. What proof? How many of us have stand-by generators, or at least a portable generator handy in case of a power outage. Heaven forbid that we should rely on other people, or be without our electronic conveniences for more than a few minutes! But Jesus demands that we repair broken relationships between one another.

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²²Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

²³“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But 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.’ ²⁹So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹When 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. ³²Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Jesus speaks of the necessity of forgiving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only are relationships worth repairing, but we must forgive the very ones who harm those relationships by their sinful actions. He calls us to live in relationship with one another.

It may seem easier to go life alone; doing what you want to do, when you want to do it; forgetting the offending brother or sister. But God’s design for us is to be in relationship with one another. We are made to relate. And when those relationships are strained and broken, we are to mend and repair them. We don’t have the option here; we must forgive – from our hearts.

Among the most important and special blessings for which I thank God are the people in my life: family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for the forgiveness I have received from God and thankful, too, that we share that forgiveness among each other in the family of God.