Matthew 6:14-15
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today’s passage follows the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray – The Lord’s Prayer – and continues Jesus’ teaching in what is known as The Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 6:14-15 taking note of any questions that arise.
At first glance this bold statement about God’s unwillingness to forgive an unforgiving person seems contradictory to how Jesus has previously described the grace and mercy of God. But to grasp the meaning of the statement, it’s important to remember a couple of underlying principles.
First, God’s very character is love, and God’s love is available freely through Jesus to anyone who desires to be restored to relationship with God. And second, in order to be restored to relationship with God, we must turn from our un-shalom ways and yield our lives to Jesus allowing him to transform us into his shalom people.
Stop to think about your own transformation process. How has Jesus transformed your thinking and attitudes over the past few months? How have you grown in your ability to emulate God by loving others – even enemies? Spend some time talking to Jesus about this.
Read Matthew 6:14-15 again this time recognizing that the word Jesus uses for “sin” in this statement indicates a “falling away, an error, a slip, or a false step (Strongs, 3900).”
It has been said that mercy happens when we don’t get what we deserve, and grace happens when we get what we don’t deserve. Both are scandalous concepts when applied to God’s relationship with faulty humans, but both are part of the incredible blessing we receive through Jesus even though we continue to slip and drift from his shalom ways. Even in our inconsistency we experience mercy and grace to the extent we are willing to receive them.
God loves us and desires good for us, therefore God will do whatever is necessary to lead us to repentance when we have erred. This includes choosing to allow us the familiarity of our chains if we so desire.
Unforgiveness keeps us locked up inside. When we refuse to “send away” the offenses of others, God withholds the freedom that could be ours through forgiveness.
For the last few minutes of this time of meditation, consider asking Jesus to search your heart and reveal any people, or groups of people, toward whom you are harboring animosity. Picture yourself chained by the bad feelings you have for this person or these people.
Then imagine that you turn your gaze to Jesus and ask him to give you the power to “send away’ the offenses of this person or these people. Notice what happens.
What do you believe Jesus wants you to remember or do after this time of meditation?
What is the first step you will take today to respond to Jesus?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
