Sundays After Pentecost, Year A, 2023 – Gospel Passage: Family is . . . Family, what ever they have done

“Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.” (Matthew 18:21 – 23)

As a young believer, I thought these parables were exact replicas of what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. What I did not realize is that Jesus was using aspects of the life and times of his contemporaries as opposed to the situation in heaven. There is not, beloved reader, a Lord God who settles the accounts of believers by making them atonement for their misdeeds and sins.

“When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.” (Verses 24 – 27)

The salient point is that this earthly king granted mercy and grace to one who humbled himself for his sake and the sake of his family. But this recipient of grace acted in a very different manner to his fellow worker/slave. And the point to be noted was that despite the fact that a very large debt was forgiven, he pursued his fellow worker for a much smaller amount.

“But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.” (Verses 28 – 30)

I had to remind myself as I grew in faith that Jesus never promised nor give a complete explanation of the Kingdom of Heaven. That is, the gospel writers never did. And we have to assume that Jesus did not. What the “take away” is that how things should happen in heaven; and how heavenly business is conducted is the same way believers should act when on earth.

“When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.” (Verses 31 – 34)

What I also have to remember is that the concepts of grace and mercy was not part of the DNA of person-hood at the time. Grace and mercy, forgiveness and restoration, were new ideas. Life was harsh, and the people were harsh as well. And if this bit of an example and metaphor of caring was new, how much more would Jesus’ forfeiting his life for humanity be overwhelming. Yet we, now, have incorporated it into our faith system. But . . . . . not quite into the way we deal with and relate to one another. Oh beloved reader! How beat upon and persecuted our fellow members of humanity. Do not let the translation of this stop you from widening the application.

“So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Verse 35)

It is not just about forgiveness. Peter asked how often one has to set aside the feeling of being offended and misused. To give up claim to hurt feelings and anger. To set aside one’s own agenda about how others should treat them. Seven times? No, Jesus said, countless times. Shalom & Selah!