A Forgiving Heart

If you worshiped with us in person or online last weekend, you may recall that we learned about greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven involving humility, a welcoming attitude, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. We also heard that in the Kingdom, mediocrity is not an option.

This weekend, we'll hear Jesus teach about another important attribute of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven: a forgiving heart. Our first reading will be from Genesis 50, which shares with us the example of Joseph forgiving his brothers who had sold him into slavery. Our second reading from Matthew 18 will include Jesus' parable about a servant who was forgiven a huge debt by his master but did not follow what we are taught in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Why is it sometimes so difficult to forgive? Because, to put it bluntly, sometimes we like to play God and take for ourselves the authority which is only His to administer. First, understand that if someone is not sorry for his or her sin against us and there is no repentance, forgiveness is withheld. But it is not for us to come up with the punishment. Rather, we leave that to the Lord. And for ourselves, we pray that we can truly put that person and that sin into the Lord's hands to deal with and not be enslaved by grudges, anger, and hatred. Rather, we ask that the Lord would lead that person to true repentance. And if a person is truly sorry and asks for forgiveness, we forgive, looking to our own sinfulness and thinking about how we would like to be forgiven by others and our Lord.

Is that easy? Of course not. That's why having a forgiving heart is an aspect of greatness, not mediocrity. And that's why it involves the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit working such a heart in us.

“Forgive our sins as we forgive,” You taught us, Lord, to pray; 
But You alone can grant us grace To live the words we say. 
Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls And bid resentment cease; 
Then, bound to all in bonds of love, Our lives will spread Your peace. 

Lutheran Service Book #843, vv. 1 and 4