Living In the Spirit

September 13, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 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. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 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.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 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. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ –Matthew 18:23-35

The servants were most likely fellow Israelites who had ventured into debt for some reason and had to work their way out. In the above instance, the one to whom they were bound no longer needed their services and wanted to recoup the remainder of the debt.

Within the history of the USA, we called the servants being described in this scripture indentured servants.The indenture was used routinely in the founding of the USA. My fifth Great Grandfather was indentured by his father at the age of 15 for seven years to a man to learn the trade of running a forge. I have a copy of the legal agreement. In return for working as an apprentice, he was to be taught to read, write, and cipher but was not paid. He completed the indenture and successfully worked on a forge until his old age. This was a voluntary indenture. Courts ordered involuntary indentures for repayment of debts and, in some instances, to work off time sentenced in prison for crimes committed.

Jesus uses this story to describe acts of mercy and the lack of reciprocal justice. Mercy was given by the first owner, allowing the servant more time to pay his debt. The servant was unwilling to treat the one who owed him money with mercy. Jesus also taught this lesson when he commanded us, ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Any type of bigotry in our world today is a lack of reciprocal justice, a failure to do to others as we would have them do to us. While such behavior may be accepted in society, it is not acceptable to God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we do not reciprocate the justice to others that is grounded in your love for all your children. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.