We are now at Week Five of our series. Let's continue our study of Jesus' parables by discussing God's mercy. His mercy is always there for us just as long as we (as in you and I) are sincerely repentant and merciful ourselves.
Before we begin our study, let's pray together: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.
Nearing his final years, Paul the apostle spent a lot of time asking himself: "What was the biggest life-changing event of my life?" Certainly, it would have to have been his own conversion from the most notorious, anti-Christian in the Jewish world. Which, by the way, provided great proof of the faith's authenticity.
One time, Paul wrote to his student Timothy, "And thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Timothy 1:12-13). Paul never forgot the debt he owed God and how the Lord had shown him mercy. Due to his gratitude, Paul lived a faithful life; sharing the gospel with many, many others.
Our salvation, like his, isn't achieved by "works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). The grace of God is indeed amazing, and he desires that we similarly show mercy to our fellow man.
The Bible clearly tells us that, "Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). No one can ever seriously understand the grace of God unless he himself is willing to offer mercy to anyone who asks for it. We can neither disregard mercy as too unattainable, nor shove it aside as too unimportant to bother with. It's this kind of misconception that leaves one in danger of missing the meaning of God's mercy altogether.
Paul expresses that God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) and that Christian fellowship depends partly on human mercy (Philippians 2:1). In as much as God was able to forgive us so exceedingly--debt of guilt deserving spiritual death (Romans 3:23; 6:23)--at such a great cost as the blood of his own son, we certainly should be able to give mercy to anyone who ill-treats us in any way, or degree at all. This is possible if we respect others, and pay attention to their interests more than ourselves. Then, and only then, can we have the mind of Christ Jesus in us.
In the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35), the Lord devises a long tale of justice and injustice to answer Peter's question, "How often shall I forgive a brother who sins against me?" Christ's response shows that human mercy is a bottomless cup, so long as the repentance is always heartfelt. This is true because our Father is always willing to welcome back a straying soul who is truly longing for mercy. However, we must keep in mind that God will judge us according to how we have judged others.
Then, there was the time when Jesus was invited to dine with a Pharisee named Simon. While at his house, a sinful woman came and worshiped Jesus. The Pharisee became annoyed by this and insinuated that if Jesus were really farseeing, he would send this person away. Jesus responded to his rudeness using the parable of the the two debtors (Luke 7:36-50). The one with more sins needed more mercy therefore showing more gratitude than a self-righteous sinner like Simon.
Now listen carefully. There's also a time when God's mercy will cease. Jesus labored with the Jews for three years, but very few of them had been converted. He instructed them using the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9) as a warning that their system of religion would soon be shaken up. Although, if they each produced "fruit" they could be preserved individually.
In closing, these parables "cut to the heart" of human relations and true discipleship. How do we respond to a person who asks for our forgiveness. Do we forgive the sin and simply wipe it away like it never happened? Or do we hold on to it for future reference? Is our mercy hard to get? Despite the fact that someone might hurt us for a bit, we might blemish our souls forever by refusing to extend grace Remember: we can only accept the grace of God as long as we are willing to extend our own.
Questions:
1. How could a blasphemer, persecutor, and an insolent man ever enter the ministry?
2. Are we saved by our own merit, or a litany of good works accomplished aside from all else?
3. What was God able to forgive in us?
4. What important lesson must this teach us about relating to others?
5. How many times should I be willing to forgive someone who trespasses against me?
6. What was to be the servant's fate who could not pay the king what he owed?
7. What did the servant say in his plea (Matthew 18:26)? What on the king's part saved him?
8. How much of a lesson on mercy and gratitude did that servant learn then? What happened?
9. What did the second debtor plead (Matthew 18:29)?
10. In your own words, what is the lesson of this parable (Matthew 18:35)?
11. What did the sinful woman do when she heard Jesus was at Simon's house?
12. How did Simon reply?
13. Who had taught the better lesson: the self-righteous, smug lawyer or the humble. repentant sinner?
14. How long had the man been seeking frogs from this tree? What had she found so far?
15. How much longer did the fig tree have to begin producing?
16. Is there an end to God's patience with mankind and earth (2 Peter 3:9)?
Until next time...
May your week be blessed!
Bibi
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