Forgive, Forgive, Forgive!
October 18, 2026
“Matthew 18: 26-27 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.”
Reflection
18th October 2026 Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:22-35) has been on my mind these past 2 weeks. I know my heart bears hurts and whilst I know that I must let go of my grievances in order to move forward, my mind keeps returning to what I can do to gain some measure of ‘justice’. But is it really revenge that I am after? Jesus is reminding me to be longsuffering (patient); to release the people whom I feel have hurt me; and to bear the debt myself, in forgiving them. It is a double whammy. Not only am I called to let go, I am called to pay down the debt of the other person. Yet, has my Lord Jesus Christ not done the same for me, when He bore my sins on the cross? As Joseph said to his brothers, “…am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:19-20) I am not God. He alone is sovereign and wise. What may seem like a punishing trial is, in fact, God’s refining act of presenting me perfect in His sight, as I learn to submit myself to Him, and in so doing, glorify Him. As He has forgiven me and healed me by His stripes, so must I forgive those who have attacked me. I shall shine forth as I go through this dark night of my soul, proclaiming the praises of my Lord Jesus Christ, because He has called me into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Application
Keys to forgiveness: 1. Pay the debt down yourself. 2. Look at the commonalities between you and the person who aggrieved you. 3. Be patient / longsuffering. This is a choice we have to make. 4. Confront the sin, not just leave it be. Joseph told his brothers that what they did was evil. Above all, seek God's wisdom in each of these things.
Transform my spirit, O Lord, that I may love those who hurt me. Help me be patient and longsuffering, as I wait for Your deliverance. Surely I would have given up, if I did not believe that I would see Your goodness in the land of the living. Give me Your divine wisdom to understand Your will and purpose as I sojourn through the dark night of my soul. I praise You, O Lord, for I know I am made perfect in You. My righteousness comes from You. Yes, I forgive the people who have attacked me. Even they are under the sovereign will of my Heavenly Father. He is compassionate and full of grace. My Lord Jesus has redeemed me and I am right with God. I have been called into His marvelous light and I proclaim His love in Jesus’ name. Amen.