interdependence upon his fellow creatures and the community of interest pertaining to the whole human race. This prayer bespeaks a profound trust in God. It also suggests moderation. "Daily bread" brings one back to the level of actual need. Dependence upon God is also taught. True, man may have a month's
provisions stored up, but whether he lives to use them or not is totally dependent upon the Father's will. In the comprehensive sense of this prayer, daily bread comes only from God.
Luke has "day by day" where Matthew has "daily bread." Robert Jamieson, Andrew Robert Fausset, and David Brown (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) write that this is "an extension of the petition in Matthew for 'this day's' supply, to every successive day's necessities.
So, Jesus teaches us to show that we recognize our dependence upon the Father for even the most basic needs of life by praying each day that He provide for us those needs.
Forgive Us Our Debts
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:12 that we are to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." William Edwy Vine defines the word translated, debt, "expressing a 'debt' more concretely, is used (a) literally, of that which is legally due." He continues that it is used, "metaphorically, of sin as a 'debt,' because it demands expiation, and thus payment by way of punishment."
So, the "debt" that Jesus teaches us to pray for forgiveness for is sin, because "it demands expiation, and thus payment for by way of punishment." In the prayer in Luke 11:4, Jesus uses a different Greek word, ἁμαρτία hamartia {ham-ar-tee'-ah}. sin. It is clear, then, that it is the forgiveness of sin that our Lord wants us to pray for.
After giving the prayer, Jesus went on to explain the prayer to "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matt 6:12). He says in Matthew 6:14-15:
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
This is a reiteration of the divine prerequisite for forgiveness, namely, a forgiving heart. This is an absolute condition. True, Luke quoted our Lord as saying, "If he repent, forgive him" (Luke 17:3); but this applies specifically in those cases where a brother is tempted to withhold forgiveness even from one who has repented and must not be construed as an amelioration of the condition laid down here.
A little later, Coffman comments:
It is the Christian's duty to forgive all men without regard to their repentance. If he should think to forgive only those who repent and ask it, his forgiveness duties would be practically eliminated altogether!
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Jesus teaches, "And lead us not into temptation" (Matt 6:12). The word translated, temptation, here, means "'trials" with a beneficial purpose and effect, (a) of 'trials' or 'temptations,' Divinely permitted or sent", according to Vine. James explains this in James 1:2-3: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
Evening Worship: 5:00 *Suspended due to Covid-19* (Singing at Greenfield Senior Living, 14 Maynard Ln., (540) 298-6835, even-number months, 6:30 pm.) *Suspended due to Covid-19*
Wednesday: 6:00 *Suspended until time changes in Spring*
10:00 