The Debt Is Forgiven

Luke 7:41-42

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Hidden away inside this parable is the key to forgiveness. This key can open the doors for those who have been broken by the cold root of bitterness. It's simple, but difficult. We abandon the idea of collecting a debt that will never be paid. We can be hurt so deeply that our anger turns to a vengeance that can never be satisfied. The fantasy of making the offender hurt like we do, is only a fantasy. We delay healing further when we believe if we cause them pain it will remove ours.

The only true way for the healing process to begin is to release the person from the debt they owe. Forgiveness is not for the offender, but the offended. No matter if they owe us 500 pence or 50, the solution is the same. I forgive you, you are free to go, you owe me nothing. We are never more like Jesus than when we forgive.

Pastor Ken Smith