This week, I have fallen short of the glory of God. I have an inkling that we all may have – in one way or another, deliberately or quite by accident, whether by doing or by omission.
Coming to terms with the fact that our hearts are deceitful, that our bodies are fallible and that our own-strength attempts at righteousness are pitiful, is a difficult and humbling process. Nobody likes to be faced with the hopelessness of their own depravity.
But for the grace of God. But for His unfathomable kindness. But for the universe-changing power of Jesus Messiah’s death on the Cross - His blood poured out in payment for our debt.
Debt? What has debt got to do with it?
Harmatia, Opheiléma
The two versions of the Lord’s prayer recorded in the Gospels use different words in this phrase about forgiveness. In Luke’s account, Jesus says we are to ask forgiveness for harmatia, which refers in no uncertain terms to sin – meaning guilt, fault or moral failure - literally missing the mark, and by extension forfeiting or losing access to the benefits of holy living. The Bible reminds us that the chief blessing of holiness (Heb 12:14) and purity of heart is seeing God (Matt 5:8).
Matthew’s account does not use the word ‘hamartia’, however. Instead, Matthew uses the terminology of financial debt, preferring the word opheiléma – something owed, with its attendant consequences for the debtor.
The idea of debt is one that Jesus comes back and back to (e.g. Matt 18:23-35) – no doubt with great meaning for His listeners at the time. The mention of debt in 1st Century Palestine, then under Roman occupation, would have signalled fear and trepidation – the brooding threat of imprisonment or slavery for those who couldn’t pay. This would have chimed especially strongly with Matthew, the tax collector, whose former life may well have consisted of squeezing debtors for money they could ill-afford.
But why does Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, choose to conceive of our sins – our offences against God and against others (as well as those of others against us) - as debts?
Trespassing
Being in debt means you owe someone else (whether by their agreement or not) – you have taken from them and in some way are obligated to repay them for their trouble, kindness or cost. To use another common synonym, you have ‘trespassed’ – you have encroached on them in some way. In the context of sin, when we sin against others we trespass against them – somehow violating their capacity to live a Godly, fulfilled life.
Ultimately, of course, because human beings are subject to the just judgment of God for their every thought, word and deed, every sin we each commit is also an offence against the Lord, whether it seems to be at the time or not. Our errors lead us to trespass into territory that is not right or good, indulging attitudes and behaviours that violate His laws and fall far short of His glory. As Holy King and Righteous Judge of the entire universe, if our offences are against anyone, they are against Him - His goodness, character, laws and justice - and His loving relationship to us as our Father.
Since the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), all of Scripture is consistent and clear that our offences against God and against others can only be atoned for by blood sacrifice (Heb 9:22). We know that the blood of bulls and goats cannot truly atone for sin – only the perfect life of another as covering for our own blemished lives will suffice. It is Jesus Messiah’s sacrifice, and that alone, which was designed to take away the sin of the world – nailing millions upon millions of debt certificates to the Cross:
He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled [blotted out, erased] the charge of our legal indebtedness [other translations record this as our ‘certificate of debt’], which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. (Col 2:13-14)
Our Response
However, though the Lord has paid an immeasurable sum to wipe away the cost we have incurred, we each still have to enter willingly into this new agreement (Heb 4:11). In other words, a response is required from us – a response of repentance and faith.
I believe that this is, in part, why Jesus chose to speak about sin in the language of debt - because though being in debt binds the debtor with an obligation that enslaves them, removing their freedom, it also demands a response from them. It demands either repayment or a declaration of bankruptcy – casting oneself on the mercy of the creditor, who may choose to respond with mercy or with punishment.
Asking for forgiveness from God, through the precious blood of Jesus, is a declaration of bankruptcy on our part – a recognition that we are in no way able to repay our own debts. Spiritually speaking, we are brought to our knees. But oh! the joy of then discovering His willingness to lift that burden from us and fling it away, as far as the east is from the west, remembering it no more (Ps 103:11-12) – and not only that, but His desire to purchase [ransom, redeem] us – body, soul and spirit – to be His very own. We are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness – no longer in bondage to the evil one, but totally belonging to the Father – no longer ruled by the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit.
Have no fear, for I have paid your ransom. I have called you by name and you are my own. (Isa 43:1, NEB)
The blood of goats and bulls…sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Heb 9:13-14)
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. (1 Cor 6:19-20)
My prayer today is that we will all – myself included - have our eyes opened to just how much we owe God – and that this dawning of understanding would cause such humility and thankfulness to spring up in our hearts that we would run towards the opportunity to ‘go and do likewise’, forgiving others just as we have been forgiven.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Author: Frances Rabbitts