Intimacy through reconciliation

Our brokenness and unwillingness to forgive ourselves and forgive others is one of the greatest hindrances to intimacy.
For many of us, the biggest barrier between us and other people is undealt with anger, bitterness, and grudges. We are often either unwilling or unable to forgive someone who has wronged us. We read passages like Matthew 18:21-22 and wonder how we could ever do this.
Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
I think that the parable Jesus tells during this conversation with Peter gives us a glimpse of what Jesus has in mind…
"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)
While I believe that Jesus is talking primarily about the religious leaders of his day who were very judgmental towards others, I also believe there is a lesson in this parable for you and me.
As long as we refuse to forgive those who wrong us, we will find it impossible to truly receive God’s forgiveness. While we are offered something we cannot possibly purchase, we must be willing to receive and share the reconciliation that God offers us.

shine!
Jason