Daily Devotion, October 3, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Matthew 6:9-15.

  This month in worship, we will be looking at some parables Jesus told that only Matthew includes in his Gospel account of the life and ministry of Christ. The parable for tomorrow focuses on forgiveness. Of course, that parable is not the only place that this subject comes up in Jesus’ teaching. In our text for today, coming out of what is often referred to as the “Sermon on The Mount,” Jesus offers a model to the disciples on how to pray. Right in the middle of that prayer is a line that connects our being forgiven of our sins by God with our willingness to forgive others who sin against us. Even then, Jesus does not just leave it at that. Apparently, that was not sufficient in his mind (or at least the writer of Matthew). That particularly part of the prayer needed to be emphasized. (“In case you missed that part about forgiveness, let me be very clear about it.”) There is no receiving forgiveness from God without giving forgiveness to other people.

  Make no mistake about it, forgiveness is sometimes very difficult. There are some people and some situations that are extremely difficult to forgive. That is equally true for God. However, God does forgive, because God knows how necessary it is to forgive in order to live life fully. God has high expectations on this subject for you as well, because God wants you to be able to live life fully as well. So, receive the forgiveness of God, and give that same gift to others. Personal Worship Option: Before you pray the Lord’s Prayer again, is there someone you need to forgive?