“But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’” (Matthew 18:25-26)
How often do you and I plead with the Lord to have mercy and not give us what we deserve? Are we as merciful with others as the Lord is with us? Or are we more like the world which, like falcons coming in for the kill, swoop upon those who are down, attack them, and justify it in our minds. We all are debtors before the Lord. Our Lord does have patience with us, and so we should have it with others.
Lord, you have been patient with me and I do not know the extent of my debt to You. This world’s poison is deep within me. Help me to be rid of the dog-eat-dog way of this world so that I live with compassion for others as You have had compassion upon me. I do not want to live in the way of the world, but with the love You have given me through grace. Help me move into a renewed life.
Holy Spirit, You know the deeper things in me that cause me to act the way of the world. Confront me each time I go to a place where I do not have mercy and compassion. Keep me from the self-justification that is almost instant from my lips when confronted. Take me to the place where I am more and more like Jesus, truly caring about the welfare of others. Amen.
