Today started earlier than normal and is going to run into tomorrow morning before it is over. That's life in the healthcare business. So it's time to pour my first cup of Door County Christmas Coffee and embrace the day. It's nice to be needed.
At Christmas we all see nativity scenes with the Baby Jesus as the center of attraction. The baby, born of a virgin, sent to die on a cross for our sins that we might be forgiven is why we celebrate Christmas. The baby, then man, came to give us a gift. This is the gift of eternal life once we call on Him to be saved. We are then pardoned of our sins and seen by God without blemish.
What a gift to be given! But there is a valuable lesson to learn here. Jesus paid the price and then forgives us. We all gladly embrace this idea of eternal life and not having to pay for our sins. But how do we forgive those who trespass against us? Do we give the same gift. Let's see what Jesus taught.
Matthew 18:21-35New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
When we give gifts to others at Christmas, should we expect one in return? Jesus died freely for us to be forgiven, Neither Jesus or God hold a grudge. They teach us the ultimate gift of forgiving. Here it is. Our sins sent Jesus to the cross. Basically Jesus was abused by us. But He forgives and takes us home to His Father who then opens the door to the abusers of His Son. That is the ultimate example of undeserved, unconditional forgiveness without expecting anything in return. Are you a gift receiver or a gift giver? How do you forgive?
Marty
Thank you for a beautiful reminder and challenge.
ReplyDeleteYes, what a great time to reflect.
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