“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18: 23-27

What kind of person are you? Any one of us may answer that question in kind of a positive tone. “I’m generally a “good” person. I’m a good worker, love my family and pay my taxes.” What would you like to add?

Unfortunately, the parable above paints a different picture. The king who wants to settle accounts represents God and the servant in debt represents me (and the rest of you). There is a debt I cannot pay. Ever.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..

Romans 3:23,

All means every one of us – no exceptions. And there are consequences.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Now, back to the parable. When we need forgiveness and we’re desperate we are likely to respond like the servant, pleading for better terms of our debt, but the beauty of forgiveness is found in the king’s response. He had pity on the servant and that reminds me of another verse from Romans –

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

What kind of person am I? One who is in great need of God’s love, patience and forgiveness.