Today’s passage takes in what is called the parable of the unmerciful (or unforgiving) servant. It’s a pretty stark story.

We’ve all lost something for which we’ve frantically searched: keys, wallet, phone, child!

Reading this text, we are faced straight on with our desire to be right on disputable matters.

Our theme for the week is mercy and forgiveness, and who better to start us along this journey than Joseph the patriarch?

In today’s passage Jesus teaches us a confrontational process for dealing with conflict within our faith community.

Jesus calls us to be like children in order to enter his kingdom.

The Apostle Paul requests Christ followers to live no longer by the standards of the world, concretely in our relationships.

Love is not only the incentive that inspires our actions, it is the principle by which our actions are managed.

In this psalm we are cautioned to obey God’s commands.

God seeks true worshipers. A heartfelt worship is marked by sensible self-awareness of our “inmost being,” an introspection of our broken, fragile, and sinful humanity, and a profound acknowledgment of God’s character.

God’s people had fallen into the depth of despair by acknowledging their own wickedness and their merited punishment.