The Sermon that made me think

                                                             The Sermon That Made Me Think

Matthew 18 21-29

      I had an awakening, and it hit like a Semi. I listened to this message then contemplated it for a couple of days. It's really familiar, however; the whole meaning of what it means was internalized. Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but seventy times seven. That's 490 times.

            Then the story parable began with the kingdom of God is like. When you see this in combination with the part of the Lord's prayer that says Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It means something that is important and should be adhered to. There was a King that wanted to settle accounts with his servants. Then the King came to this certain servant that owed him ten thousand talents. 62,017.18 is today's gold price per kilo. A talent is 35 kilograms. That would be in today's money in gold 2,170,601.3 that's two million one hundred seventy thousand six hundred one dollars and thirty cents. That's a whole lot of ca$h. His master ordered the servant and his family to be taken and sold to pay the debt. The servant fell down before him to ask for forgiveness. The master was moved and forgave him all $2,170,601.30. Having been forgiven the 2 million and change, this servant then goes to another servant that owed him money in the amount of 100 denarii (205.64) in today's money. Not only did he ask for his money, he grabbed him by the throat (in verse 28), demanding that he pay what he owed. This servant that owed the 100 denarii also asked for forgiveness and more time to earn what he owed the forgiven servant. The forgiving servant then threw the servant that owed 200 bucks and placed him into jail until he could pay.

            You don't believe that this would go without being noticed by the fellow servants that reported this action to the King, that summoned the servant that owed the 2mil and said, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? 'And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. Jesus then said, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

            At that particular moment, I realized I had not forgiven many people in my life. I've asked forgiveness for things that I thought I was done with; however, I neglected the part where I was to forgive those that offended, mistreated, or hurt me. That list was long. I forgot them, but I know I did not forgive them because the mere mention of their name brought up anger and the desire for revenge. I had forgotten; however, I had not forgiven. I remembered each offense and how I felt when it happened. I have moved away from some, broken off contact with others, and with a few, I still held a grudge and was looking for an opportunity to get them back with interest. I am talking about bosses, coworkers, exes, family members, salespeople, and people just being mean.   There were more than a few misty moments when I realized my level of unforgiveness. The statement "show me your friends, and I will show you your future" has come to life in me as my local friends I have the privilege to share a pew with every week. I haven't made many friends outside of my church environment as I'm pretty busy being grandad and taking care of my espoused. It would have been unfortunate if I went through all of this to find that I would have things on the back end of this journey just because I could not let go of my need for revenge. The much that is given is my forgiveness; the much that is required is my forgiveness to others.