A Pattern Of Mercy

Matthew 6:9-15

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. (Matthew 6:12)

ON THE SURFACE, Matthew 6:12 seems like an ordinary request—a petition to be forgiven paired with an understanding that we should do likewise for others. But what if the prayer is more loaded than that? What if, instead of acknowledging forgiveness from God and for others as two separate but similar mercies, this prayer actually links the two together? What if it’s a prayer to be forgiven by God in the same way we forgive those who have offended us, as if God’s forgiveness is contingent on our forgiveness of others?

In fact, this is what Jesus implies a few verses later (14-15) and then again in his parable of the forgiven debtor (Matthew 18:23-35). Somehow, our ability to receive God’s mercy is directly related to our willingness to show mercy to those who have sinned against us. The insinuation is clear: If we don’t forgive others, we will not be forgiven. That puts a lot of weight on our ability to demonstrate grace.

Jesus’ point, of course, is that we cannot live in a culture of grace in our relationship with God but step out of that culture in our relationships with others. If we are not very forgiving, it is unlikely that we have ever really received or understood the forgiveness we have been given. Those who have been washed in the mercy of God instinctively share it with others. Or, as Jesus said on another occasion, “Give as freely as you have received!” (Matthew 10:8). Those who understand the weight of the debts that have been removed from them through Christ will hardly go out and weigh others down with the same burdens.

Choose to live in a culture of grace, not just in your relationship with God, but also in your relationship with the world around you. For one thing, the two cannot be separated; for another, there is no other way for the world to experience the generous, forgiving heart of the Father than to experience it in those who love him. In his mercy, you have been given a vision of the Kingdom. Let others see it in you.

{Father, I have received so much from you, and I want to become an expression of your mercy. I let go of the offenses I have experienced just as you have let go of mine. Amen.