Daily Scripture Threshing for Thursday, June 20, 2024
Today’s Text: Matthew 6:9-15
Key Verse: Matthew 6:14 (ESV): "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
In Bits & Pieces (October 15, 1992, p. 13) I came across a Spanish story about a father and son who had become so estranged that the son ran away. But because the father misses him, set off to forgive him and to find him. Having searched for months to no avail, he finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, put an ad in a Madrid newspaper, which reads thus: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.” On Saturday, 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.
This story alligns with the revelation of Matthew 6:14-15, which states that we all are in need of/for forgiveness. That is why we too, according to Jesus, our Lord, we are obligated to do for others. "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive you." In context, our Lord is teaching us the importance of forgiveness in our relationship with God. There will always be an offense. Someone will always be indebted to us, and fail to pay back. It would hurt. We'd feel betrayed. However, if we refuse to forgive them, it's like holding onto a debt that God wants to cancel. By forgiving others, we cancel the debt and create space for God to forgive us.
Everyone of us needs forgiveness. And, Jesus says, robbing other is essentially robbing ourselves of the very same forgiveness and freedom we need. When we choose to forgive others, we open ourselves up to receive forgiveness and healing from God. By releasing the debt we feel others owe us, we create space for God to cancel the debt we owe Him. It is a new day, let us get put there and extend grace and forgiveness to the several other Pacos out there, needing forgiveness like us. Let us extend forgiveness to them just as God has extended it to us.
Quote for the Day: "Forgiveness is the release of all the negative emotions and feelings that come with hurt. When we forgive, we create room for healing, restoration and freedom; not one that removes boundaries, but the ome that demonstrates Christian self-discipline." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to release the hurt and anger I feel towards those who have wronged me. Teach me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Let my heart be filled with love, compassion, and grace, just as yours is — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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