Forgiveness, a Reflection on 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15; Psalm 32

The respectable religious guy was critical of Jesus for letting a sinner get close to him. Jesus told a parable about two debtors: One owed a lot more than the other. Both debts were forgiven.

Jesus asked, "Which will be more grateful?"

King David had desired Bathsheba so much, that he sent her husband, the loyal soldier Uriah, into battle. When Uriah was killed, Bathsheba came to David. The Lord was unhappy so sent the prophet Nathan to confront the king.

In the parable Nathan tells King David, a poor man has his one beloved lamb taken by a rich man. David responds with anger, "The man who did this should die."

The prophet Nathan forces David to confront his sin, "You are the man."

David is able to acknowledge his guilt.

The Lord forgives him, even him.

The lectionary has linked Psalm 32 with this reading. Here is an excerpt from an entry for the 4th Sunday of Lent this year:

And confession and forgiveness are not the end of the story according to this psalm. Once we have gotten right, we need to stay that way. "Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, who needs to be curbed with a bit and bridle."

The alternatives are stark, according to this psalm: The wicked will live in torment, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. We are being asked to change our ways so that we can live out the command:
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.