Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Peter, the outspoken leader of the band of Twelve, asked Jesus a lot of questions (questions, I am sure, that were also in the minds of the other eleven!). To understand his question here, one must understand the popular teaching of the rabbis of Jesus' day. Citing a number of verses from the Old Testament prophet Amos, (Amos 1:3, 2:6, etc.), the rabbis taught that since God forgave his enemies three times, that it was sufficient for man to also forgive three times. So Peter, took that number, doubled it and added one (just to be sure) and asked Jesus if offering forgiveness seven times was adequate. Jesus' response? "Peter, forgive until you have lost count!" Jesus then goes on to illustrate with the parable of the unforgiving servant (PLEASE be sure to spend some time reflecting on that!).
Jesus' point was simply this: God forgives us a debt of sin against him that we could never ever hope to repay! Yet ... countless times ... with countless sins ... he forgives us! Therefore, it is presumptuous for us to refuse forgiveness of another in light of what God has done for us! SOOO ... the next time someone offends you ... hurts you ... takes advantage of you ... remember this teaching of Jesus and forgive!
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
P.S. - Click here for more on forgiveness.
Great words to hear, "You are forgiven." But perhaps more challenging to be the one saying those words!
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