I am a Jesus pusher!!! With Jesus’ sacrifice for me in mind, the following statement is true. “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24). I have not truly experienced nor comprehended my guilt and forgiveness from Jesus if I am not driven to reconcile and forgive my brother. Jesus is strong and consistent in His presentation of this truth. As He continues in the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches us how to pray. He concludes this teaching with the need to forgive each other. The moment we move into communication with God, any disruption of fellowship we have with our fellowman appears. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
Jesus illustrated this brilliantly in the Parable of the Forgiven Servant (Matthew 18:23-35). While the master was gone, he left a servant in charge of his finances. The servant stole ten thousand talents ($2,370,000.00). When the master returned, he demanded his servant’s full payment of that amount. The servant cried for mercy, and the master forgave him the entire debt. As the servant rejoiced in his forgiveness, he found a fellow servant who owed him a hundred denarii ($16.69). He demanded his fellow servant pay him in full. When he could not, he cast him into jail. When the master heard this, He was angry, nullified his forgiveness, and demanded repayment of the ten thousand talents. We always find reconciliation with our brother within the framework of our relationship with the One who has forgiven us. You will never be hurt or offended more than what you have hurt and offended! You have been forgiven more than you are required to forgive! Jesus extended His forgiveness through you. I am a Jesus pusher!!!