The Meaning.
About the meaning of this dramatic story there can be no question. Our indebtedness to God the heavenly Father is incalculable; our dependence upon Him is infinite. God recognizes our helplessness, and our inability to pay, and He forgives us our shortcomings, even as we pray, "Forgive us our debts." The indebtedness of our fellowmen to us is slight in comparison; their dependence upon us is nil. Yet, we are likely to render harsh judgment against them, and to withhold forgiveness from our hearts, even though we utter in prayer the words, "as we forgive our debtors." But if we deal harshly with our fellowmen who owe us so little, can we expect God, whom we owe so much, to deal gently with us? If we want the Great Creditor to forgive us our large indebtedness, should not we—small creditors that we are—forgive without the asking, and from our hearts, the little debts of our fellowmen?
The right attitude toward our enemies.
Such was the teaching of Jesus concerning our association with our friends and fellowservants. But Jesus's teaching of love and reconciliation did not stop there. It is our duty—since we all want God to bless and favor us—to love even our enemies, and those whom we are by nature prompted to hate. For, said Jesus, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
The Golden Rule.
So, then, it appears that the practicing of the Golden Rule makes a large stride toward perfection. We should do good to all, forgive all, love all. Then can we come in strength before the Lord and plead for patience and forgiveness.
"He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all."
Jesus put it thus: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
THE REFERENCES
Matt. 18:15-17. Matt. 5:43-48.