CounterculturalSample

To demonstrate the countercultural depths of His forgiveness, Jesus shared a parable about a man who found himself in need of forgiveness. After borrowing money from his master, this servant was unable to pay the debt back quickly enough. Desperate, he fell at the feet of his master and essentially begged for forgiveness. What happened? The master made the countercultural move to forgive his debt entirely. Can you even imagine? Put yourself in the shoes of both men here. If you’re the servant, you have to feel incredibly humbled and deeply desperate to throw yourself at your master’s feet and beg to be released from your debt. And if you’re the master, you have to be moved by enough compassion and care to offer such bold forgiveness.

In either position, the extension of forgiveness took a weight off both men’s shoulders. This is the power of forgiveness! When we extend it, we set ourselves and the person on the receiving end free. We’re taking the weight off both of our shoulders and making a way to walk forward without it. And when we receive forgiveness, we’re set free to move on and make a change as a result.

Which position do you find yourself in today: the one to give forgiveness or the one to receive it? Wherever you are in this story, ask God to help you take even just one step toward the freedom that forgiveness offers.