Forgive Us Our Debts Matthew 6:12

Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not you therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him. After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread”, and in chapter six and verse eleven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive” where we read:

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

The verse reads, “And forgive us our debts, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and forgive us” which means “let go, keep no longer, give up and deserts the disciples'” “our debts” or “what the disciples' owed or were justly or legally due”. Jesus continued His prayer with the request for God to “let go of and desert” what the disciples “owed”.

The verse continues, “... as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew added the words, “as we forgive” which means “in the same manner and likeness as the disciples' let go, keep no longer, give up and desert” “our debtors” or “the disciples' ones who owed or were justly or legally due to them”. Jesus added the idea that the disciples were to “forgive” people who were indebted to them.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the next request submitted by Jesus for the disciples. They were to ask God for “forgiveness” of their “debts” or “sins and trespasses” , and they were to “forgive” others who were indebted to, “sinned and trespassed” against them. The word “sin” literally means “to miss the mark”, and it is taken from an archery term where a hoop was placed on top of a tree or a target was put on a tree, and the archer would pull back his bow and let the arrow fly. If he missed the hoop or target, he “sinned” and was known as a “sinner”. A “trespass” is a willful and deliberate violation of God's law either against Him or another person. People who become God's disciples through a relationship with His Son Jesus must not only ask for forgiveness of their own “sins”, but also be willing to “forgive” others for their “debts” as well. The manner in which they “forgive” shall be the measure of how they are forgiven. May all who read these words take heed.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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