By Carole Rawley
The stone bench was hard and cold. As he looked up all he could see were walls closing him in. He hung his head in despair. He had this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that he was never going to see daylight again. Never….
As he sat there, he tried to recall the sequence of events that brought him here. For months he had been weighed down by guilt and shame. He owed his master so much money that he never any chance of repaying it. When it had been calculated it worked out at about 20 years wages! It was impossible! His master had ordered that he and his family to be sold into slavery so his debt could be paid.
In the prison cell, at this moment, his shame overwhelmed him and he felt physically sick.
How could he have let this amount build up? He knew the answer even as he was asking the question – he had been indulgent and wasteful. He had been greedy and manipulative. He only had one way out – he had begged his master for mercy.
And he miraculously gave it!
He couldn’t describe the sense of relief and emotion at that moment when he realized his family were saved and that he would be given a second chance. The weight lifted off his shoulders at that moment and he walked out of the room with such joy in his heart, he thought he would burst.
And then he rounded the corner!
He had bumped into that little squirt who owed him money. Why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut? But as usual, his arrogant self ploughed in and demanded that he was paid. He tried to blot out what happened next but the memories were as vivid as when it happened. There was a struggle which ended up with his hands around his neck. He hadn’t wanted to hurt him; just frighten him. Everything escalated out of control and he had grown so angry that he’d used his power to have him thrown in jail.
Now the tables were turned. And he was sitting here locked up……
Why hadn’t he joined the dots?
‘I am forgiven and released from the debt I could not pay, only to demand payment of a debt owed to me.’
Why hadn’t he connected the two?
The look on his Master’s face when he found out what he’d done was one he would never forget.
Just then, he heard heavy footsteps outside his cell, the key turning in the lock. The door was flung open and two guards stood there. They did not look friendly………
(Matthew 18: 21-35)
God has forgiven us ALL our sin; past, present and future.
What right do we have not to forgive others who have caused us pain, anguish, lack of peace, heartache, fear…..?
We might not physically try to beat them up, but we do in our minds! It might give us short term relief but our hearts will remain bitter.
Bitter roots remain in hearts where minds sustain and feed them. When my parents divorced, I was very bitter and angry towards them. I saw them with eyes of pain and deep hurt. I knew I needed to forgive them but had no strength to do so. One day, as I was praying, I asked God to let me see them through His eyes, not mine.
And everything started to change!
He showed me their own pain, their challenges, their insecurities – and also His overwhelming love for them. I started to let go of the bitter thoughts and receive God’s healing in my wounded heart.
I am forever grateful that God’s power is at hand to help us forgive those who have offended us and release them from the debt they owe. In doing this, we are truly free.
Every Wednesday we’ll be considering a practice related to our body, soul or spirit to help us completely devote ourselves to Jesus.
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