It is so important that we learn to forgive. Jesus comes to us before we deserve it. He offers forgiveness before we ask for it. We must be willing to do the same for others. After having been shown so great a mercy, how can we possibly hold anything against anyone else?
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us
We cannot be like Jonah. He is so fixated on what he thinks the people of Nineveh deserve that he can't appreciate it when they receive God's mercy.
Jonah was greatly displeased
and became angry that God did not carry out the evil
he threatened against Nineveh.
We tell ourselves we're pursuing justice. We tell ourselves we're protecting our rights. And those are valid motivations. But that isn't really what we're doing. We aren't interested in justice so much as in condemnation for those who wrong us. We want more the mere balance restored. We want them to suffer for the wrongs they have done. It is a good thing that God does not feel the same way about us.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
The LORD is rich in mercy. The paradigm of his kingdom is one of mercy and forgiveness. In order for us to truly hallow the name of the Father and to welcome his kingdom we must be willing to welcome his mercy, not just for ourselves, but for all. This is the only way we ourselves can walk in his mercy. It is only by this mercy that we escape the final test.
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship you, O Lord,
and glorify your name.
For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
you alone are God.
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