What lesson is God teaching me? Vv. 3, 4- He tells us to warn those who sin and if the sin is towards us, to forgive them. We must forgive them seven times in a day. This is the same as when he said to forgive someone seventyseven times (Mt 18:22) to show there is no limit on the number of times to forgive someone. But that is not just simple forgiveness but a forgiveness that has true repentance from the other party and a desire to turn from sin. Forgiveness is the greatest language of love to sinners from weak people like us and obedience to the greatest practical way of showing love. Without practicing forgiveness, the confession of grace and thanks is empty and it is not possible to forgive without grace and thanks.
Vv. 5, 6- The disciples wanted more faith so that they could live a life of forgiveness but Jesus tells them that having faith the size of a mustard seed is enough. The problem is not the quantity of faith but the quality of faith and the object of that faith. When we know Jesus and know the grace he poured out on us, then we develop faith. No matter how small that faith may seem, it will give us the power to do things that seem difficult, even to forgive someone seven times a day. It is obvious that we cannot forgive people the way that we want to. Therefore seek out faith. Meditate on how the Lord forgave us and is patient with us even still.
Vv. 7-10- The servant plowed the field and looked after the sheep and was obedient to even prepare the food and bring it to his master but he considered it something obvious that he must do and did not request anything from his master. This master took this person as his servant and saved him from death and so he obeyed. He was faithful and humble. Isn’t this the attitude that we should have toward the Lord who gave us a new life and made us workers in his kingdom? Check to see if you do the work assigned to you but still want acknowledgment from others and are thirsty to be paid back.
Give me a heart of forgiveness. Give me a heart to know faithfulness, humility and grace.
