Daily Devotion – September 9, 2020 – Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison
Matthew 18:21-35
18:21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”
18:22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
18:23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
18:24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;
18:25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
18:26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’
18:27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
18:28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’
18:29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’
18:30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
18:31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.
18:32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
18:33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’
18:34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
18:35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
This parable in Matthew echoes Psalm 103, the psalm for this week. It makes an example of an ungrateful person and reminds us to live knowing our place in the universe, live demonstrating gratitude and grace because we are the receivers of grace. What does this ungrateful character in the story lack? Pity. Empathy.
When he himself went to his lord/master/owner/boss to beg for his life and freedom, the lord had pity on him and forgave him the debt. The lord had compassion. He had the right to do absolutely anything with this person begging before him, and he chose to release him not only from bandage itself, but also his debt.
How is your empathy quotient doing? I am wondering how I might measure mine this week. Perhaps when someone comes to me asking yet another favor, I will notice at that moment how thin my patience has worn. But then, just at that very instant, might I choose to take pity of the person, empathize with the situation, and have compassion and be gracious. I like to think I would be, especially if I choose this week to check my empathy quotient. It may not be my first response, but I could do it.
I’ve done plenty in my lifetime that was all for me. But this week I invite you to join me in noticing a time you might easily not be gracious, even for sensible reasons, and instead extend the welcome mat to the favor-asker and be generous out of pity, empathy, and love.
Gracious God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us people who ask us favors. Help us to notice our wish to say no, and help us to instead give. And do it often enough to get practice enough to make it easier. Amen.
