Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants, And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that you owe. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me: Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow-servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty-five of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus said, “so likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you” where we read:
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you,
if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
The verse reads, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “so likewise” or “like and in this manner” “shall my heavenly Father” which means “will Jesus' Father in Heaven which is God” “do also unto you” or “produce, construct and fashion even so and indeed to Jesus' disciples”. Matthew shared how Jesus said God would be like the king in His illustration toward those who follow after Him.
The verse goes on to say, “... if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew added the words, “if you” or “whether those who follow Jesus” “from your hearts” which means “out and away from the disciples' soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors ” “forgive not” which means “do not let go of, give up and remit” “every one” or “each, the whole, all and everyone” “his brother” which refers to “the selfsame's fellow believer who is united to another by the bond of affection” “their trespasses” or “that person's lapse, deviation from truth and uprightness or misdeed”. Matthew wrote how Jesus said God would judge people for not “forgiving” other's “lapses and deviations from the truth and uprightness”.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how important it is to “forgive” others. God through Jesus is willing to forgive all sin, and in turn, He desires that we be like Him and forgive as well. If a person resists or rejects forgiving others, God will judge them accordingly. Let all who read these words understand the importance of being “forgiven” and “forgiving” before they face the eternal God who is willing to “forgive” but is also equipped to “judge” the “unforgiving”.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how Jesus “departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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