Forgiveness or "Comeuppance?"

"Today's Devotion" For October 25, 2005

Read: Matthew 18:21-35; James 2:1-13

FORGIVENESS OR "COMEUPPANCE?"

"This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Mt.18:35)

Forgiveness. Now there's a concept that has a lot of trouble being accepted in our society and our world. Vengeance and retaliation are much more common occurrences. Many of the world's religions seem to teach a "comeuppance" for those who offend oneself or one's family, or even "God" (as if God needs to be defended). Then we have the political side of "comeuppance." The political "sharks" are currently salivating and circling in the water, as they smell a "kill" in the CIA leak "scandal" that appears to be dogging the current administration in Washington (you know, the latest in political gamesmanship and intrigue that just so enamors the public of our public servants). Historically, political "comeuppance" has been "down and dirty." Politicians seem to be particularly "gifted" with tremendously long memories about supposed slights, wrongs, missteps, and scandals, particularly when such things might have cost them some power, an election, or money.

Forgiveness. It's a tough thing. How many times haven't we heard the following phrases coming out of our own mouths, or those of others directed at us? "You’re sorry! I've heard that before. But you never change!" "How many times do you expect me to forgive you? You're always doing the same thing over and over again. Your mother and I can't trust you!" "You just wait! You're going to get what's coming to you. I'll be there, and when you least expect it - well, just you wait and see!"

Forgiveness. Everyday, somewhere in America or elsewhere in the world, someone is plotting to get even with another person, another nation, a political party, or - well, you name it. Politicians are looking for ways to get even and build there own prestige and power on the backs of those who have made missteps or offended them in some way. Family members and friends make declarations such as those in the previous paragraph many times during each day somewhere in the world. Perhaps you've made such declarations of anger and vengeance yourself, whether recently or in the distant past. It's possible that you have been, are currently, or may someday be in a similar position where someone doesn't want to forgive you or seeks to "get even" with you. When we consider forgiveness and our human penchant for "comeuppance" it's not too hard to understand Peter's question to Jesus, "How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"

Forgiveness. Jesus' response to Peter's question is hard for us to hear, much less act upon. Forgiving others can be a burden; yet we want others to forgive us under any and all circumstances. We want our "comeuppance"- our revenge, our getting even - for what others have done to us, but are surprised and hurt when others exact their "comeuppance" from us. In the face of all such unforgiving behavior, in the face of our frustrations at the continued inequities visited upon us by others, and wishing to get even with those who have wronged us, Jesus responds to Peter's question - our question - "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times," and we understand that He means to never stop forgiving. And as the persons above, and Peter, himself, you'll wonder, "How often should I forgive?" And you'll hear Jesus' words, "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times." That is, keep on doing so.

Forgiveness. If we hold grudges or seek "comeuppance" we haven't forgiven. While this is our nature, God acts toward us in a completely different way. He continually reminds us in Jesus Christ that His purpose is to redeem us from the power of Sin and Satan, and to cover us with Christ's righteousness. He reminds us daily that in Christ our sins are forgiven and that we have the sure hope of heaven through faith in Him. If anyone had a right to get even, to get His "comeuppance," it would be God. Yet our Father in heaven seeks our good each day, forgives us of all our sins as we come before His throne of grace covered in the righteousness of Christ, and remembers our sins no more. We've been washed clean from our sins in Baptism, which God renews for us each morning. We are new creatures, created in Christ Jesus to serve God and others in Jesus' name, filled with His forgiveness and love, His hope and peace. As you have been freely forgiven, so also does our Father call upon us to freely forgive. Blessed with forgiveness by God Himself, "comeuppance" is no longer reasonable for us as God's redeemed children. Thank God He has lifted that burden from our shoulders in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, it's so very easy to seek to get even with others for what they've done to hurt me. I like to hold grudges - not that they cause me to feel any better, but because they keep me focused on getting my "comeuppance" and getting even. Yet, Your Word and Spirit remind me through my Lord Jesus Christ that if I have room in my life for holding grudges and seeking "comeuppance" from others, I don't have room for You our Your forgiveness in Jesus. Father, I pray that You would continue to remind me by the power of Your Word and Spirit that in Baptism You have cleansed me from my sins and have given me a new life, renewed every day in Jesus, so that I might fully live in Your forgiveness and love and share the same with others. Remind me daily that Jesus has taken the burden of my sins upon His shoulders so that I might live fully and completely in Your presence forever. In Jesus' precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.