Matthew 9

You Are Forgiven

Posted on by Betsy

What is the biggest thing you have forgiven? Was it a cheating spouse? A rebellious child? An unfair decision that went against you? A friend’s betrayal? A lost library book?

Wait … what?

The New York Times wrote an article on a new program that the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts just announced called “March Meowness.” This is a program of forgiveness. Anyone who has lost a book or failed to return a book to the library is forgiven if they bring a photo, drawing, or magazine clipping of a cat and get their library card reactivated. So not only is the lost book forgiven, but the library opens the door to return by making reactivating your library card part of the deal. Now that’s forgiveness!

In the 9th chapter of Matthew, Jesus models prayer for us. This is what he said:

 Matthew 9 (Common English Bible)

Pray like this:

Our Father who is in heaven,

uphold the holiness of your name.

10 Bring in your kingdom

so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.

11 Give us the bread we need for today.

12 Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,

just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.

13 And don’t lead us into temptation,

but rescue us from the evil one.

Look again at verse 12. It states a petition to be forgiven JUST AS WE ALSO FORGIVE. Clearly Jesus is setting up an expectation that our being forgiven is dependent on the forgiveness that we extend to others. That is a wake-up call to those of us still holding grudges and refusing to bend. You may never be able to welcome that person back into your life, but Jesus’ words make clear the need to forgive them if you expect your Lord to forgive you. Sometimes this is a bitter pill to swallow. But remember that grudge-holding makes you the prisoner, not your offender. Being able to forgive and let go of a grievance can set you free.

The trajectory that Lent takes is a sober and reflective journey toward the cross. It was at the cross that Jesus died for our sins, reminding us of that ultimate sacrifice that bought unfathomable forgiveness if we repent and return to God. Our communion liturgy contains the words “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven”. Every day the gift of forgiveness is offered to us without price. Every day we have the opportunity to offer that same gift to others in Jesus’ name.

Do you need to be forgiven today? Start by forgiving.

From Twitter

Come to the Table

Posted on by Betsy

Several decades ago, I had an interesting conversation with an older gentleman who was leaving my church. I respected the fact that he set an appointment with me to give his reasons. I wasn’t prepared for the answer, though.

A young couple had joined the church the Sunday prior. As was our custom, we printed their names and address in the bulletin for people to add them to their church directories. This gentleman was leaving because we allowed them to join. He said that the fact that they had two different last names and one address was an indication that they were “living in sin” and he was shocked that the church allowed them to join. He saw that as the downfall of the church, the denomination, and Western civilization as we know it.

I carefully explained that the church did not have a policy that prevented anyone from joining. I mentioned that everyone who joins comes with some measure of sin, as “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” I even tried joking with him that “you have to catch the fish before you clean the fish” and assured him that every member has come to church to be cleansed of their sins and grow closer in their understanding of God.

As I expected, my explanations fell on deaf ears and he and his wife left the church.

Jesus’ teaching is very clear that there is no hierarchy of sin and that the mission of the church is to make disciples of everyone. He had to explain this to the Pharisees at one point:

Matthew 9 (Common English Bible)

10 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table.

11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.”

The Pharisees were well known for making the public sacrifices that their religious rituals called for, but for harboring hate toward others in their heart. Jesus was radicalizing a new idea here: drop the meaningless rituals and offer mercy toward your fellow man instead.

They couldn’t do it.

Can we?

Look around. There are people in your community who live on the margins who need to be invited to Christ’s table, and maybe even to yours. Christ welcomes all to his table: the immigrants, the homeless, the kings, the addicts, the LGBTQ community, the prostitutes, the CEOs, the unwed mothers, the prisoners … he would not turn a single one of them away.

Neither should we.

Come by Alice Rogers