THE WORD 4 ev 1

Read Matthew 18 (click here for link)

Chapter 18 deals with forgiveness and the gaining of a brother or sister for Christ. Jesus teaches, “Become like little children;” “Do not lead them astray;” “Seek out the lost sheep;” “Reconcile to your neighbor at all costs;” “Forgive without limits, even up to seventy-seven times;” “Have mercy on those who owe you debts.” These are tall orders to fill in our sleep deprived lives of high stress and go. We are more often inclined to be like that unmerciful servant in the end, seeking mercy but unwilling to give it.

Instead, Jesus calls us to change and become like little children. This is a bit ironic since children can sometimes be very selfish by nature. But then again, they are sinful just like us adults. They also learn by our example! However, children are also capable of extraordinary acts of selflessness and forgiveness. Little Children, for example, don’t hold grudges. How often have you heard a little child detailing an offense against them from years past? How often do children blow up in argument over the simplest of things, but in the very next moment are running and laughing together again?

I suppose we must all consider how far we are willing to go to heed Jesus’ words today. It won’t be easy! But, then again, it never is. We have so much baggage to let go of, I am afraid that sometimes we are too addicted to the weight of it all and no longer know how to be free.

But that is what makes Christ’s words today so refreshing. So often we think of our spiritual development as a steady progression in things done right. We ask, “Have I been good enough?” However, we learn today that spiritual progression is through forgiveness and not human activity. Are we living in forgiveness? Are we motivated by forgiveness? It is unusual that forgiveness should be so hard and yet so easy for each of us.

Jesus says be like a little child. Don’t hold on so tightly—forgive!

Pastor Aaron