The Extent of Forgiveness
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: In 1993, Mary Johnson's only son, was tragically murdered by a young man named Oshea during an argument at a party in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Oshea was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25.5 years in prison.
Over the years, Mary struggled with her grief and anger, but she eventually found it within herself to reach out to Oshea while he was in prison. She wanted to understand the circumstances that led to her son's death and to find a way to heal and move forward.
Unexpectedly through their correspondence, Mary and Oshea began a unique and unexpected journey towards forgiveness and reconciliation. Oshea expressed remorse for his actions and genuinely sought forgiveness. Mary, despite her immense pain, decided to forgive Oshea for taking her son's life.
In 2010, after serving approximately 17 years in prison, Oshea was released. Mary not only forgave him but also welcomed him into her life. They formed a deep bond and worked together to promote forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation in their community. They spoke at schools, churches, and other venues, sharing their story of forgiveness and encouraging others to find ways to let go of hatred and anger.
Their story of forgiveness and unlikely friendship received widespread attention and became an inspiration for many people struggling with their own feelings of anger and resentment. Mary and Oshea's story is definitely a unique and unlikely tale, one that challenges us to reconsider the boundaries of forgiveness by asking the question: when it comes to forgiveness, how far is too far? Is there a kind of person that is truly unforgivable?
And that is the question that Matthew invites us to ask this morning. As we mentioned last week, Matthew has been building the case for the authority of Jesus. And in chapters 8-9 he has been demonstrating Jesus’ authority over disease, over nature, and most importantly over sin.
Last week in particular we saw Jesus forgive the sins of the paralytic man, who had been despised and rejected by Jewish society his entire life. Day in and day out the pious of his day would point to him and ask, what sin do you suppose this vile man has done to deserve his present condition?
Until one day he came face to face with Jesus who looked on him with compassion and said, “Son, the cause of your suffering has been removed, your sins are forgiven you.”
And in their hearts, the Pharisees and scribes thought, “This man blasphemes!”
They did not believe that Jesus was God with the authority to forgive sins neither did they believe that such wickedness deserving of paralyzation could just be forgiven with just what - faith!
But Jesus is different than any other religious leader. He did not just say things - he proved them. So, not only did he forgive this man’s sin but he proved he could do so by commanding this man to arise, pick up his bed, and go home.
And the man did just that!
And so at this point, I am sure the news of this event spread. On the one hand, I’m sure it spread among the religious leaders asking the question, “How far will this ‘forgiveness’ go? How vile must a man be before Jesus will reject Him?” And on the other hand, I am sure it spread among every thief, murderer, and prostitute that “Jesus is willing and able to forgive even the most despised of us. Come and see!”
And so Matthew anticipates rightly that the question that needs to be answered at this point is, “How far will the grace of Jesus go to forgive? Is there a limit to the forgiveness? Can anyone be forgiven?”
Which brings us to our passage this morning.
Read Matthew 9:9-13
In our passage this morning we will see the range of forgiveness, the reaction to forgiveness, and the reasoning for forgiveness.
The Range of Forgiveness
The Range of Forgiveness
A man name Matthew sitting at the tax office
tax collectors were traitors who served Rome by extorting taxes from their own people
they would often extort their own people
they would often accept bribes
they would often mistreat the poor
this was particular affront to the Jews who believed that Caesar had no right to tax them as the people of God
Matthew 22:17 “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?””
a publican was forbidden to have any religious or social contact with this fellow Jews
he was ranked with the unclean animals
in the social standing of the day, he was nothing more than an unclean pig
Luke 18:9-12 “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.”
but wait there’s more
some publicans collected general taxes (property, income, poll, taxes, registration taxes)
other collected a variety of use taxes
tolls, boat, docking, business license, etc...
but wait there’s more
some had others collect taxes for them (anonymity)
some collected taxes on their own
they were the most despised
this was Matthew
Follow me
The Reaction to Forgiveness
The Reaction to Forgiveness
Read Matthew 9:11
Why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?
their theology was shaken
Matthew 5:20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
their social sensibilities were offended
The Reasoning for Forgiveness
The Reasoning for Forgiveness
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I desire mercy and not sacrifice
Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance
Conclusion: Are you willing to identify yourself as a sinner?