Daily Inspiration

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” -Luke 12:57-59
 
I asked a Christian who does not believe in purgatory the following questions about this passage. Is Jesus giving sound legal advice, or is He speaking of something more than this earthly life? She answered, “Something more, He’s talking about eternity.” 
 
Do you believe in a final judgment where there is only heaven or hell and nothing more? She answered, “Yes, only heaven and hell because purgatory is not in the Bible.”
 
Is judgment eternal once found worthy of heaven or condemned to hell? Is removal from either possible? She answered, “No, once judged that placement is eternal.”
 
Then what is Jesus speaking about here? Doesn’t it sound like the results of a judgment? Because of His choice of words, calling it a prison, is He speaking of heaven? Could He be talking about hell if there is an opportunity to be released once the debt is repaid? Dear friend, is it possible He is speaking of another place where we atone for matters not settled on the way to the Magistrate? Is it possible for God to give us a chance to be made clean, to pay the last penny owed in the age to come?
 
“And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” -Matthew 12:32
 
Saints Crispin and Crispinian, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.