Forgiveness: A Risk Worth Taking
SUNDAY, September 20
Genesis 50:15-21
She sat at a distance from where her father’s casket was being lowered into the ground. Attending his service would have been too painful while listening to the accolades about one who had inflicted such harm in her early years. She only wanted to see his body go into the grave, hoping that her bitter memories would go with it. But fifteen years later, at the age of eighty, she was still haunted by those memories. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the memory of past offenses, but it does surrender the pain and bitterness we hold on to.
Today’s story brings us to the matter of forgiveness. Can you identify with Joseph’s brothers in what they must have felt when they asked for forgiveness? One can only imagine the surprise and relief at the response they received.
Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to ask forgiveness of those I have offended or hurt, and the joy of granting it to others who seek the same from me. Amen.
When The Speck Is Bigger Than The Log
Monday, September 21
Romans 14:1-12
Our text today reminds us that we often fail to forgive because of our tendency to judge others in what Paul calls “disputable matters” (v. 1, NIV). I confess that I am one who can eat everything (v. 2); the Sabbath day for me is more sacred than other days (v. 5); and I love eating meat (v. 6b). Trivial as these matters may seem to us today, it is easy for us to judge those who are different from us.
My wife loves to cook and she’s very good at it. I have noticed over the years how difficult it can be when preparing meals for people with varying dietary restrictions or preferences. It is tempting for me to become judgmental about that. In today’s passage in The Message, Eugene Peterson reminds us that we are all guests at Christ’s table and we should not be thinking less of those who are different.
Prayer
Lord, you said that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
Lost And Found
Tuesday, September 22
Matthew 18:12-14
Today’s story fits well with Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (NRSV).
There was a time when one of our young sons wandered off by himself (i.e., went astray) in a huge crowd of people. I frantically ran through the crowd looking and calling out his name. I knew every minute counted. When I found him, my reaction was similar to the shepherd in today’s text: “I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off” (NIV).
In most cases our going astray would necessitate forgiveness, but here is an example of what Paul said in his letter to the Romans: “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 5:20, NKJV)—all because “the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Prayer
Lord, for the sake of your Son Jesus, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
The Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant
Wednesday, September 23
Matthew 18:21-35
Today’s parable could easily be summed up in the prayer Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Father…forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:9, 12, NIV). One might mistakenly interpret this to mean that God will only forgive us to the extent that we forgive others, but when Peter asks Jesus if forgiving a brother seven times is enough, Jesus replies, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (v. 22). Jesus uses a hyperbolic phrase to illustrate God’s limitless, continuous, and unconditional grace toward us.
I am reminded of a hymn written by Annie Flint titled “He Giveth More Grace” where in the last stanza it says, “His love has no limits, his grace has no measure; his power no boundary known unto men; For out of his infinite riches in Jesus, he giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”
Prayer
“Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone” (Book of Common Prayer). Amen.
Mercy Given
Thursday, September 24
Jonah 3:10-4:11
It’s been said that grace is receiving what we don’t deserve and mercy is not receiving what we do deserve. Today’s story is an example of both grace and mercy where we see God’s mercy flowing out of his grace. This becomes evident when, in response to Jonah’s prophecy, God had compassion (i.e., grace) on the Ninevites and “did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened” (3:10, NIV) (i.e., mercy).
”Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison” (Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy) is one of the most ancient, heartfelt prayers in Christian worship. Perhaps it was the prayer uttered by the king of Ninevah.
Jonah’s reaction to God showing compassion to an enemy instead of the judgment he felt they deserved can be convicting. When we read between the lines, is it possible that Jonah wanted them destroyed and not forgiven? How might this be true for us in our attitude toward our enemies?
Prayer
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy on me. Amen.
The Parable Of The Latecomers
Friday, September 25
Matthew 20:1-16
On the surface, today’s parable doesn’t seem to be fair. Parables, however, are intended to take us below the surface. In the first place, this passage is not about unfair labor practice. It’s about the kingdom of heaven. The workers who were hired first represent those who have walked with the Lord for a long time. The “latecomers” are those who came to faith much later in life and are just as deserving of the grace and mercy of the landowner (i.e., God) as anyone else. Had the landowner paid the earliest hires first, they may have left right away and never known his true generosity. For some of us who have known the Lord for a long time, spiritual pride can lay dormant and go unnoticed.
Prayer
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.
What New Song Are You Singing?
Saturday, September 26
Psalm 149
I’ll never forget a comment made to me by a college roommate: “When it comes to spiritual growth, my biggest problem is living today off what the Lord fed me last week, last month, or even years ago.” The psalmist proclaims, “Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints” (v. 1, NIV). Has the Lord given you a new song?
Jeremiah writes, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22–23, NRSVUE). God’s past faithfulness sustains us, and his mercies meet us again each day. This week we have focused on God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy. As the hymn “He Giveth More Grace” reminds us, “His love has no limit; his grace has no measure; his power has no boundary known unto men. For out of his infinite riches in Jesus, he giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”
Prayer
Lord, your mercies are new every morning. Renew our hearts each day so that we always sing a fresh song of praise to you. Amen.
