Sunday 13 September 2020

Unlimited mercy

Matthew 18: 21-22

There is a tendency on the part of many people to expect everything to well defined and clear cut, which can be a good thing, but which can also have downsides.

So, a person who owns property would want boundary lines to be clearly defined so that neighbors do not encroach under that property. to enforce that desire for non-encroachment, fences are erected.

The use of social media, is an integral part of life, but privacy and security concerns make it necessary to establish certain boundaries such as not sharing passwords with others.

There are limitations placed on the extent to which we trust others and the extent to which persons are prepared to extend love to one another.

And now, there are limitations which have become necessary because of the ongoing pandemic such as maintaining the six feet distance and the wearing of masks.

Some limitations can cause us to be innovative in the way we do thing, like the way we worship not being able to gather for as before. Limitations on the other hand means we cannot meet and greet each other as we have been accustomed to doing.

In today’s gospel reading, Peter asked Jesus the question “how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me up to seven times”?

We are not sure if this question was related to a specific issue that Peter might have been dealing with or if it was just a general question.

What seems certain however is that Peter's question was an indication that he was perhaps wanting Jesus to sanction placing some limitations in terms of the number of times one should forgive a person. Not only did he ask the question, how many times, but he went on to suggest a limit of seven. Jesus replied not seven times but 77 times

Let us remember that in biblical terms, seven is a significant number suggesting fullness and completion.

So, what we can hear Peter saying here he is suggesting that there is a limit for full and complete forgiveness. But for Jesus there is no such limit.

In today’s terms we might say a million times, which real says over and over without limit.

While in our minds, we may decide to forgive, it is by the work of the Holy Spirit of God in us that makes our thoughts realities. Whenever anyone feels that the limit has been reached, whenever we feel that there is no further purpose to be served by continuing, let us remember this - we cannot limit the work and power of God through His Holy Spirit. That is essentially what Jesus is saying to Peter and to all who may be of a similar mind.

If like Peter, we seek to draw the line and say this is as far as it goes, we are really saying to God “you cannot go beyond this limit” it is saying yes you are God but this is as far as you can go”. But God is not and cannot be limited by time space or our thinking. While we may be limited in our words and our thinking: limited in

how we see and understand the world, and limited in how we deal with people and situations, God is infinite in the wisdom in understanding and in all things.

Christians ought not to be conditioned by the world to see things only through then narrow lenses of “the world’s” systems. When we do that it is like boxing ourselves into confined SPACE and attempting to do the same to God.

The book of Exodus records that God sent Moses to Egypt to secure the release of the children of Israel. Moses asked God if the Israelites should ask the name of him who sent me what shall I tell them? God answered “I am who I am. That is what you are to say to the Israelites, I AM HAS SENT me to you.

Moses may have been expecting another answer. but God was really saying, I am, I was, and I always will be. The Alpha and the Omega.

Jesus went on to teach the parable of the servant who owed the king ten thousand talents. Unable to settle, the King ordered that all he had including his wife and children should be sold ordered to repay the debt. Naturally, the servant pleaded with his with the King for patience and mercy, and had his debt forgiven. But the same man did not see fit to extend that same mercy to a fellow servant who owed him a pittance in comparison to what he owed the king. Instead he had the servant thrown into jail. When the King heard what he had done he sent for him, reminded him of the forgiveness he had received and said to him you should have done the same for your fellow servant

My Brothers and sisters let us remember that as we receive from our compassionate God who is infinite, we should also show mercy and compassionate to others.

Of interest in the parable is that this man owed the King far more than his fellow servant owed him, yet he had no mercy on him.

It is a reflection of the world in which we live where many people take it up on themselves to exact judgement on others without knowing their circumstances, and at the same time, forgetting their own are situations.

It is this that has caused numerous persons to suffer innocently. Some have even died because others acted as judge, jury and executioner without reason. Is this what God desires of us?

it is also reminder my brothers and sisters that true forgiveness means that we have to let go of the pain, let go of the hurt, let go of the hatred, let go of the envy let go of the burdens that hurt oneself more than we hurt others. It also means showing empathy instead of rejoicing at the misfortune of others.

That is the issue that is causing society to fall apart and become so divided. Today we must let go and develop more and more in the likeness of God remembering that even as he forgives us God releases us so we can do likewise. We must pause and examine ourselves and so recognize what God has done and continues to do for us. Let us as we interact with each other, no matter what their circumstance or deeds, ask God to endow us with grace to be a blessing to those around just as he blesses us.

Amen.

.