DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION: Matthew 18:21-35 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Matthew 18:21-35: Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive someone who has wronged him. Jesus says he must forgive not just seven times, but “seventy times seven.” Then he tells a parable about a king who demands that his subjects forgive others as he has forgiven them. Todays Scripture: Matthew 18:35 And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Todays Reading 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times seven, 23 because the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who decided to check on his servants accounts. 24 He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt. 26 The servant fell on his knees before the king. “Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay you everything!” 27 The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go. 28 Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. “Pay back what you owe me!” he said. 29 His fellow servant fell down and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!” 30 But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were very upset and went to the king and told him everything. 32 So he called the servant in. “You worthless slave!” he said. ‘I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. 33 You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you. ’ 34 The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount. ” 35 And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Reflect What does the parable teach about forgiveness? Have you ever had to forgive someone for something? Did your willingness to forgive improve your relationship with that person? What would the world be like without forgiveness? Pray Gracious God, forgive me for the ways in which I have failed to follow you. Teach me how to overcome my resistance to forgive others, that I may share your healing and grace. Amen. Prayer Concern Those struggling to forgive someone
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 20:05:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015