Matthew 18:21-35 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, September 13.
Forgiveness is required of Jesus. It is a command. (Luke 6:37, 38) If you forgive, you will be forgiven. We even pray that in the Lord's Prayer - "Forgive us our trespasses AS WE forgive those who trespass against us." Please, Lord, please - if I do not forgive them, please do not forgive me. Our relationship is all tied up in our relationships with sisters and brothers.
Jesus gave a parable, as usual, to drive this lesson home.
The one who owed the King 10,000 talents owed big because he had big bucks. That is how the world of empire worked then and still works. The one who owed that one a hundred denarii was deep in debt for him, because he was struggling. Empire rules say that it is a "gentlemen's agreement" over large debt owed, that those in the game are afforded certain considerations. He was forgiven the debt. The poorer one who could not pay, however, would have the book thrown at him, thrown in jail, where inability to pay one's debt gets you more time, still today. The difference from today? The King.
These are Kingdom of GOD values. God forgives and expects US to forgive. It is not about merit, status, standing, position, prestige, privilege or entitlement. It is about need. Those who need forgiveness need it. We are ALL in need of it and must ALL be willing to share it. Whether it is about debt, offenses, inability to pay bills or desperate acts out of desperation, we ALL need forgiveness. For some to get that or slaps on the wrist penalties and others to get long sentences, lengthened by inability to pay fees and court costs, is unjust. For some to get different sentences for the same crimes because of their wealth, position, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation is unjust. For some to be profiled, entrapped and hunted down for the profit of prison corporations, or executed in the streets because their race is unjust.
Kingdom values are different. Forgiveness is given because we need it. Mercy is given because we need it. It is given equally, equitably and graciously out of Agape Love.
Last time I checked, I believe that we as followers of Jesus are supposed to live what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as Kingdom values in this part of the Kingdom, here and now.
Until we do, we are promised torture until WE can pay what we owe to God, which of course we can never repay. Jesus' karma, baby. Let the torture begin until empire ends.
Pastor Jamie
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