Devotions: Why Debts? - Matthew 6:12

Today’s Bible readings are Isaiah 16:1-5 and Matthew 6:5-15

Matthew 6:12                         Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

Whenever I’m at a funeral or an ecumenical service where the Lord’s Prayer is spoken by all of the participants, there’s always an awkward moment when some people say debts and debtors or trespasses and trespassers, or sins and sinners. Whichever Christian tradition folks belong to will determine what they recite at that moment in the Lord’s Prayer.

But why do Presbyterians use the word ‘debts’ instead of ‘trespasses’ or ‘sins’? Is it an important distinction or can we all just get along and recite sins and sinners?

Most of what we believe as Presbyterians comes from Scotland. In Scotland, there is no law of trespass, unlike their English counterparts. This meant that when it came to saying the Lord’s Prayer, the words ‘trespass’ and ‘trespasses’ had no meaning for the Scots people. Scots, however, knew all about debts and debtors because it was mainly a merchant economy in the 16^th century. Calvinists also believed in the substitutionary atonement of Christ, which emphasizes the fact that Jesus sacrificially substituted Himself on the Cross for us. This means that we are completely indebted to Him, so when we say ‘ forgive us our debts’ in the Lord’s Prayer, we are actually saying, “Forgive us of the sinful things in our lives that nailed Jesus to the Cross.” And when we add the phrase ‘as we forgive our debtors,’ we are actually asking God to forgive us in the same way that we deal with the personal injuries, wounds, and hurts which other people inflict upon us.

The older I get, the more important it becomes to me to maintain the traditions of the church in a very tradition-less world. But I’ve also come to realize that without the proper historical context, people cannot hold on to something which they do not understand. As a teaching elder, it’s my responsibility to get that information out to the people of God that I serve and love, so that they may confidently hold on to the essential tenets of our Reformed Faith. Substitutionary atonement is one of them.

Prayer:                       Lord Jesus, we are all indebted to You because You sacrificed Yourself as a ransom for our souls and as a substitute for our atonement. We did not deserve such a loving act of mercy and forgiveness, compassion and everlasting kindness. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask a question, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2011 Christmas drawings. It’s called ‘Heavenly Peace.’ If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6057/6292689266_aab484f86b_b.jpg

4 Minute Devotions: Baker's Van

Sometimes, when I pray "Give us our daily bread," it reminds me of a Scottish baker I once knew.

Podcast version here

Matthew 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

Every day, around 10.30AM, the bread man used to arrive in our street. He drove a large van that had a walk-in counter at the back. He tooted his horn twice and everyone in our street knew that he had arrived. During the summer, when I was on holiday from school, my mom usually gave me a note, written on the corner of an old envelope, with our order: one plain loaf and a packet of potato scones.

As I entered the baker’s van, I could smell the beautiful aroma of freshly baked bread, sugared donuts, and buttered scones. The shelves were full of different breads and cakes, as well as various candies and chocolates. It looked absolutely heavenly to me, and I often wished that my parents had the money to buy the whole van.

The baker was a tall bearded man with a cheery smile. He took my mom’s list and placed the goods on the counter. He knew that we didn’t have much money, but he always treated us as if we were the most important customers on his route. He asked how my mom was doing and then he checked our items in his credit book. We always settled up at the end of the week when my father was paid.

On Saturday mornings, I would take another list, on the corner of an old envelope, with the money that we owed the baker. I felt important as I handed him over the money and received the change. He would hand me the plain loaf and potato scones, and then he would smile as he added in a few donuts to the package. This was Saturday, when our family had money!

Sometimes, when I’m praying the Lord’s Prayer, I remember those days of the Scottish baker when I say the words: ‘give us our daily bread.’ It reminds me that God’s grace is something that we all get on credit. At the end of our lives, we can never repay what we owe to God, which is when Christ steps in to pay the ransom for our souls. And just when we think that would be enough, He adds something sweeter to the whole divine package: everlasting life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love and grace through which our lives are truly blessed. We depend upon You each day to guide and lead us, comfort and sustain us. You are our Daily Bread and the Bread of Eternal Life. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.