DCLM Daily Manna 25 February 2024

TOPIC: The Virtue Of Mercy

TEXT: MATTHEW 18:23-35 
²³ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

²⁴ And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

²⁵ But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

²⁶ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

²⁷ Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

²⁹ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

³⁰ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

³¹ So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

³² Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

³³ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

³⁴ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

³⁵ So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

KEY VERSE
“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?”
(MATTHEW 18:33).

DCLM Daily Manna 25 February 2024 Message

General James Edward Oglethorpe, who founded the state of Georgia, once told John Wesley, “I never forget and I never forgive,” to which Wesley replied, “Then, sir, I hope you never sin.” The logical deduction is that those who deny others forgiveness or mercy are never entitled to the same. This was exactly the message Christ gave the wicked servant in our text.

Today’s passage narrates the story of the unmerciful servant. When he was brought before his master to account for a huge amount of money he owed his master, he pleaded for, and obtained forgiveness. It was expected that he should extend the same mercy to the man that owed him just a little. But he failed to do so. In disappointment, his master apprehended and threw him into prison until he settled his debt.

READ DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 24 February 2024 – Retribution For Wickedness

Ordinarily, mercy ought to underline the humanity of man. Unfortunately, this is not so. Mercy is absent from the lexicon of many in our society, just as it was in the ideal state postulated by Plato for the Greek Society. Family relationship was even sacrificed on the altar of loyalty to the state. The Romans interpreted mercy as a sign of weakness, “a disease of the soul.” In Italy, “Sicilians never forget and they never forgive.” For the Italian mafia, “Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold.”

By the time of Christ, the Jews had transformed the principle of reciprocal justice that stipulated an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21: 23-27) into an instrument of vengeance. Hence, James and John sought Christ’s permission to call down fire on the Samaritans who would not allow Him a passage to Jerusalem (Luke 9: 54). But this is antithetical to the injunction of the Lord. How do we model Christ’s love if we pray for the destruction of the same people we should win to Him? Those who have received God’s mercy must show compassion and practical love to others.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Mercy denied demonstrates absence of grace.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CORINTHIANS 5-7