Matthew 18:21-35

Honesty isn’t easy but it is crucial. Think of a time you were called to account for what you had done to hurt a friend? Where did the mind go first? An honest assessment of what had been done followed by an apology or did the mind go somewhere else? A whitewash of what was done as not so bad…an effort to discredit the other person’s credibility…how about going on the attack and bludgeon them into silence? In what direction did the mind go?

Honesty isn’t easy but it is crucial. The political world these days is filled with scandal that is unrelenting. The charges are whitewashed with political spin. The opposition is discredited as not being so perfect either. A full blown attack is made to destroy the integrity of all involved. Honesty is lacking. The result is a political realm that simply can’t function in a healthy way.

Honesty isn’t easy but it is crucial. Peter wanted to know from Jesus how many times he was required to forgive someone. There has to be a limit, right? Jesus’ response was for him to stop counting. Then Jesus went on to tell about a slave who had a massive debt. The slave was unable to pay and so begged for mercy which the master granted in full. The slave was given a new lease on life until he saw another who owed him a much smaller debt. This other slave also begged for mercy but none was granted as he was sent to jail until the debt was paid in full. When the master heard the news he rescinded his grant of mercy and tossed the first slave in jail. Jesus then gave this strong warning,

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 18:35

Honesty isn’t easy but it is crucial. The original slave had every right to collect on a debt. However, he quickly overlooked his own forgiven debt and the amazing mercy received from his master. Such mercy was completely ignored. Peter’s request to know the limits of forgiveness displayed his lack of awareness regarding the depths of the forgiveness and mercy he had already received from God. This is the great challenge for us all. Forgiveness is a word that quickly rolls off the tongue but forgiveness from the heart isn’t so easy. Forgiveness from the depth of our being isn’t possible without honestly comprehending the depth of mercy we have first received from God.

Honesty isn’t easy but it is crucial. An honest assessment of what has been done is the way for friends to reconcile. An honest assessment of what has been done is the only way political leaders can come together for the good of all. An honest assessment of the mercy granted is how we forgive our brother or sister without keeping the score.

Honesty isn’t easy but it is a crucial part of the kingdom of Heaven.

Peace