February 17

"And the Lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:27

Do you see that this pardon illustrates the gospel? How absurd for the servant to plead for time when the proceeds from selling all that he had, and even selling himself, could not possibly repay the debt. It was as though he were saying. “Give me time. My intention is good. I am not thinking of evading my debt. I will do my best. I will pay back sometime in the future.”

If we go thus to the Lord, he does not answer. “All right. Pay what you can now and clear up the rest of the debt bit by bit in the days to come.” No, he freely forgives all. God gives grace and will go on giving until his own heart is satisfied. If he gives, he gives according to his own nature. We may ask boldly, for he always does abundantly above all that we ask or think.