I was a basketball fan during my teenage years, and so you can just imagine how thrilled I was to watch my eldest play competitive basketball for the first time. On her court debut, my daughter not only logged in 8 points, she also made several assists that translated into successful baskets. I was beyond happy.
Truly, being able to “successfully” pass the ball to someone who gets to shoot it, is almost like getting the point yourself. The effort and the team work pays off. And I cannot help but relate it to Christian
life, to our respective faith journeys.
There are ball possessions that are meant for us to pass on. As Christians, this represents all the goodness we have received from God. Kindness, mercy, patience, love, gentleness, graciousness,
consolation, and material blessings among others.
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
The Lord’s forgiveness is never meant to stagnate in us. We are meant to pass it forward by also being merciful to others. We have to show forgiveness especially to those who don’t deserve our pardon. After all we do not even deserve God’s pardon right?
In one of the parables He taught, Jesus told His disciples about the consequences of not passing on God’s mercy to others. His Parable about the unforgiving servant, underscored the importance of paying
forward the undeserved pardon God gave us.
“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 18:32-35
The same goes with the time, talent, and treasure that He has bestowed upon us. We are meant to share it with others. The buck does not stop on our coffers, nor with our heirs. We are just stewards.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10:8
Most of all, we need to pass on the comfort that we receive from our Creator. Our Heavenly Father gives us His comfort and wisdom when we need it most. Our compassionate King of Kings reaches out to us, so we could reach out to others. Such deeds we have to pass on so we can point them towards His light.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Matthew 18:21-35 and Psalm 32:1-7 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you feel like there is a gift you have received from God that you need to pass on? What makes you think twice about sharing this gift and passing it on to others?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, sorry for the times I was reluctant, or totally selfish about passing on the goodness I have received from you, to other people. Help me become more loving and
compassionate toward others. Help me become more than willing to share the hope and mercy I found in you. Amen.