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One of the most beautiful aspects of our human nature is our capacity to perceive beauty and goodness and to be captivated by a stunning sense of wonder.

I remember well the day I first laid eyes on the Grand Canyon. There was quite a buildup en route in the car as we talked about what others had said of this amazing spectacle. When we finally parked and walked over to the edge, the reality was infinitely more spectacular than my high expectations.

First, there was the range of colors in the rock walls opposite us as the sun made them shimmer. We looked down and squinted to see the Colorado River one mile below us, which had carved out this canyon over millions of years. There was the panoramic view that included a range of majestic rock formations jutting up at a captivating distance that made you a little dizzy.

I had an overwhelming sense that my brain could not completely take in at that moment the depth and the enormity of the beauty placed before me. It was an unforgettable experience. Allow me to contrast this experience with the person who has been working at the snack bar 100 feet away for 10 years. Most days, he drives there, works his shift, drives home and never takes the time to even notice the majesty of God’s creative hand set before him.

While we, as human beings, have the capacity to be struck by wonder and awe, we also can, sadly, grow dull and forgetful and fail to appreciate God’s wonders. This can happen to us with the beauty of nature, but also with the blessing of a spouse, the treasure of our Christian faith, the set of talents God has given us or the supreme gift of a great friend.

Jesus uses a parable to help us look more honestly and intently at one way in which this part of our broken human nature can rear its ugly head. A king confronts one of his employees who owes him a huge amount. The Scripture scholars claim that it was a debt so large that it was impossible for one person to pay back.

The debtor pleads with his master asking for patience and promising to pay him back in full. “Moved with compassion,
the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.” This was a totally unexpected and enormous blessing. Clearly, this gift should never be forgotten.

However, the servant quickly runs across one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seizes the servant, chokes him and demands that he pay back what he owes. When the second servant begs for patience, the first servant denies this request and has him thrown into prison.

How did the first servant so quickly forget the bigheartedness of the king? How did he not get overwhelmed by marveling at such a bounteous offer? How was he not inspired to turn around and pass along the gift he had been given?

Before we get too upset with this ungrateful and selfish servant, Jesus wants us to look in the mirror. Are we not all guilty of similar faults? All of us have been forgiven by God of our sins through a generosity not earned or deserved. Every one of us have incurred an unpayable debt that Jesus has graciously and sacrificially paid from the cross.

How do we so quickly forget the generosity of Jesus, our king? How do we not remain perpetually overwhelmed by marveling at his tender forgiveness? How do we fail to forgive those who have sinned against us?

Today, let’s return to the Grand Canyon, so to say. Let’s recall God’s most gracious, unearned mercy. Let’s marvel at its depth and beauty. Let’s decide today, to beg for God’s grace in order to truly forgive those who have hurt us or our loved ones.