Forgiveness Anyone?

In this week’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness, generosity, and the difficulty of letting go.  Even when we’ve been blessed by God’s generosity we, like the slave whose debt was so large he’d never be able to pay it back, often find it hard to accept and then pass on the kindness.  We may shake our heads at the inability of the slave to forgive a rather small monetary debt after he’s been given so much, but how often do we…do you…hold onto small hurts, slights or sins that diminish who you are and keep you from receiving the gifts of God’s grace?

Those people and hurts we’re unwilling or unable to let go keep us from experiencing the goodness and mercy that God is always offering to us through Jesus Christ.  Too often we choose to hold onto old hurts and remembered slights.  With time, they can grow larger in our minds, but they also hold us back from being the people God created us to be.  Each one of us has been blessed through baptism with the gifts of forgiveness and grace that set us free to engage life with goodwill.  Baptism is your guarantee that God’s goodness, mercy and love are yours no matter who you are, what you do, or how you got there. 

Jesus’ parable of the Unforgiving Servant invites you to think about the hurts, grievances, and people that hold you back from being more gracious and forgiving.   What do you need to leave at the foot of the cross?  Who do you need to forgive?  Is it a friend or a relative?  Is it a pastor, teacher or employer?  Is it yourself?  Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or denying the past.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean staying in abusive situations or remaining friends with someone who continually hurts you. Forgiveness sets you free to move on.  It blesses you with an unburdened future. 

As Christians, we confess that Jesus died for the forgiveness of sin, but do you believe that forgiveness is for you?  Do you believe you are a child of God embraced by God’s love and mercy no matter what?  Do you believe those who hurt you or owe you are also children of God?  It’s hard to believe in goodness and grace when so much of the world seems stuck in darkness and retribution. It’s hard to extend goodness and grace when you’re hurt or don’t believe you’re worthy.  It’s hard, but with God’s help not impossible.

Each of us has hurts we hold onto. That’s part of being human, but it also isn’t what God wants for you. God has set you free to live, love and forgive, but God doesn’t force the issue.  God doesn’t want you holding onto dead dreams, old ideas and past hurts that you think define who you are so God in Jesus forgives freely.  God doesn’t want you taking out your pain, doubts and fears on others either. 

The parable of the Unforgiving Servant started with a question from Peter.  “How often do I forgive?” (Matthew 18:21).  Jesus understands that forgiveness often isn’t a one time event. Seventy-seven times is not a number, but a way of saying as long as it takes. Jesus invites you and me to keep on forgiving until we actually do it.  Forgiveness is not simply an action you take, but an ongoing attitude of the heart that’s fed by the gifts of God’s generosity and love.   God doesn’t hold it against you when your old hurts, pain and anger return, but God also doesn’t leave you there. 

Through Jesus, God makes a way for you to leave behind the torture of whatever debts and hurts are holding you back so that you can live your life with love, generosity and freedom.  You are not stuck.  Confess your sin and allow God to forgive you.  Then go and treat others with that same grace and mercy.  It’s hard work, but with the help of God’s Holy Spirit it can be done.  Ask yourself this: would you rather be defined by God’s grace and mercy or by your own hurts and refusal to forgive.  The good news is that whatever your choice, God never gives up on you.   The gifts of God’s unconditional love and generosity are there for the asking and receiving.  So, keep on asking….