The First 15

Friday October 14, 2022

by Jan Davis

Today is Friday, October 14 and we are studying the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter six.

Opening Prayer

As I enter a time of prayer, I quiet my mind, slow my breathing and focus myself – body, mind and spirit on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I long to hear your voice! Speak to me and help me comprehend the wisdom and guidance you want to share with my soul. Open the ears of my heart to receive truth and gain understanding. Amen.

Scripture Reading

In humility, I seek the Lord’s mercy and kindness with the words of Psalm 79.

Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. Psalm 79:8-9

Pause and Pray

This section of the Sermon on the Mount includes the text of the Lord’s Prayer. Compared to the customary, lengthy and wordy Jewish prayers of the day, Jesus taught his followers a prayer that was brief and modest. The Matthean version of the Lord’s Prayer is especially Jewish in comparison with the shorter, more primitive version found in Luke 11:2-4. Today’s verses include Jesus’ teaching on the forgiveness of sins. The metaphor of describing sins as “debts” is characteristic of the Jewish faith tradition. An additional common word for those in the Anglican tradition is “trespasses.” A moral trespass is a violation of ethics resulting in a transgression or sin. I trespass when I go beyond God’s boundary and potentially harm myself or others in my sin.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:12-15

Reflection

Disciples of Jesus continually need to ask for forgiveness. Through the sanctifying grace of God I am on a journey toward holiness of heart and life, but as I grow in maturity I recognize I still fall short and come before God in contrition and deep sincerity saying, “Father, forgive me my trespasses.” Forgive my debts. Forgive my sin. Here Jesus underscores the concept of forgiving others in connection with being forgiven by God. What that means is if I am to open my hands to receive God’s gracious pardon, I cannot keep my fists tightly clenched against those who have wronged me.

Ask: How have I been forgiven by God? Who do I need to forgive?


Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, my Father in heaven, forgive my trespasses. Remind me of the great debt paid for me by the shedding of the blood of Jesus upon the cross of Calvary. Bring to mind how other people have trespassed against me and help me to completely forgive each one from the heart. Forgive my sins Lord and relieve the burden of my soul. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:12-15

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

This week God has been revealing new insights to me about the Lord’s Prayer – a prayer I have known from childhood. Today I approach this prayer in a new light and see it from a new perspective. Perhaps God is teaching me an additional way to understand the concept of forgiveness – the forgiveness He offers me and the forgiveness I can offer others. Which forgiveness is more important in my life right now? To be forgiven or to forgive?

Pause and Pray

Father God, come into my relationships and circumstances. Forgive me when I have trespassed against You and others. Forgive me for the times I have failed to love as You love. Pour Your grace into my heart and give me the desire to forgive the trespassers in my life. Remove any trace of resentment, anger or bitterness and flood my soul with love and light. Amen.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Closing Prayer

I leave this time of prayer a redeemed sinner and forgiven child of God, I go to love and forgive others in the name of Jesus.

Amen

The First 15

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