Forgiveness and reconciliation

"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.  But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'  So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'  He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.  When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.  Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'  And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." - Matthew 18:23‭-‬35 ESV

Russ Whitfield

There's a show called The Undercover Boss. The CEO is disguised with mustaches, wigs, and makeup. They then go to work in their company. Then the boss is revealed at the end. The employees are then rewarded or punished for their actions. 

Jesus is our Undercover Boss. He is disguised in the world. We will also be there at the final episode when Jesus calls us all to account. Whether to reward or judgement.

The comfort in God's judgement

Jesus will come again... As judge. He will sit on his throne, not as a meek lamb, but as a King upon the throne.

"As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:9‭-‬10‭, ‬13‭-‬14 ESV

The kingdom of Israel was living under the oppression of the Roman empire. This nation was looking forward to God's judgement. How is this so? Why do we fear judgement in this day and age? The people of the ancient world understood that justice and judgement were two sides of the same coin. Judgement meant that God cares about the poor, the oppressed.  They lived within corrupt systems. The judges would only be heard if bribes were given. And the poor cannot afford the bribe, so their case will never be heard. We don't have to deal with that in this day and age. If we live lives in relative prosperity and comfort, we don't see the need for judgement. It is felt most by those who have witnessed horrible vile evil. Those who have been oppressed and violated... They long for judgement... For justice.

The challenge in God's judgement

God separates the sheep from the goats. They are admitted or excluded based on how they treated Jesus. The surprise was that Jesus was disguised among the poorest and neediest of the disciples. Jesus is so close to those who follow Him that he takes their treatment personally. How you treat your friend... Is how you treat Jesus. How you treat your spouse is how you treat Jesus..  How you treat the covenant children of the church is how you've treated Jesus. These are simple things. Giving water, food, clothing. These are sins of omission... Simple good neighborly love undone. 

So then, what shall we do? Try harder? We look more like goats than sheep. Jesus is our sheep. He lived the perfect life as a sheep for us. Then he transforms us to be more like his sheep. Then we will see our brother as Jesus. We will see the stranger in our midst as Jesus. Jesus takes our treatment of our neighbors, especially fellow believers, personally. 

So then we should wake up each day not thinking of what we need to do. But rather what who we will become... Are we treating those around us with the love that God calls for? This is the evidence of a life touched by grace. If we cannot find Jesus in the poor man by the church door, we certainly won't find him in the cup inside the church.