March 12, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18:21-22
OBSERVATIONS
Imagine someone hurts you, then says sorry, hurts you again and says sorry again, and repeats this cycle seven times. How long before we need to stop forgiving them and tell them to get lost? This is Peter’s question.
Actually, seven times is quite generous.
Jesus answer is either 77 times, or 70 x 7 (490). In either cause Jesus is not suggestion a literal number of times (can you even imagine trying to keep count), but stresses the number in its symbolic sense of fullness. In others words, ever and always, no limit, beyond count.
Jesus is using a rabbinical wisdom technique to make a point: stop keeping count, just be ready to forgive!
Reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:5, “(love) does not keep track of other people’s wrongs.”
The upcoming parable (vv.23-25) shows that this is how God deals with us, He forgives us the completeness of our debt.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
I have not been wronged so much that I struggle to forgive someone; I do know people who have, and this must be tough for them. It seems as if they get away with their crimes.
Does this apply to parenting, if a child keeps making the same mistake again and again and keeps on coming back and saying sorry, is that all it takes to forgive?
We should not fall into the trap of turning this into a technical formula (like Peter did, seven times?); the spirit of Jesus’ words is that we need to have gracious, forgiving hearts, always ready to show mercy and help people.
At times helping someone may involve more than just forgiving them, but it should ways include forgiving them.
A husband will likely need to do more than just forgive his gambling addicted wife; he should forgive her, but he should also do what he can top help her.
Is my natural response to when someone wrongs me to be kind, understanding, sympathetic, eager to see the best? Do I feel sorry for them, or only for myself?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, create in me a generous, merciful heart, just like Yours. Help me not to keep track of other peoples wrongs.
Jesus isn’t telling us to forgive our brothers 490 times, or 70 times, or 77 times. He’s telling us we should always forgive our brothers when they have sinned against us. God in heaven has forgiven us all of humanity’s sins.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Today’s verses seem to carry on with getting along with each other. Yesterday we learned how to escalate peace with each other in a loving way. I have to admit, I usually go from step one to step 4. It takes a lot of effort to involve others in a dispute.
Peter thinks we should let things slide, and offer forgiveness about seven times. That is very generous. I would be annoyed after two or three, and would be going through the process of getting others involved shortly after that. How can we really forgive in an unlimited way? Does that mean living like a zombie? Untouched by the hurt that can come from others? I know that forgiving in this way is impossible for me. But with God’s help, and with his influence in my life, I can love those that don’t love me, and I can show grace and forgiveness to those around me. I am not there yet, and I pray that God will allow me to let things go, to allow those that bother me to do so without me getting worked up about it.
I think there is something good about continuous forgiveness. The alternative is not forgiving, and this can eat away at a person. A healthy thing to do is to forgive, and when I do so, I can become free of the resentment and pain and physical sickness that can come from not forgiving.
I pray that as I go about my work and as I go about living this week, that I can learn to forgive a little bit more. I pray that even tough stuff to forgive is given up to God, as this is what Jesus did on the cross.
Observations:
This is the intro to the parable of the unmerciful servant. The answer even before the parable. How often do I have to forgive? Not just 7 times, but 77 times or other translations 70 x 7. And that’s a lot. But then who’s counting?
Application:
How often do children say, ‘I’m sorry.’ How often do we say, ‘That’s OK and I forgive you.’ Do parents count? Do teachers count? Am I stepping stone helping them to wholeness or a stumbling block holding them back and getting even or payback time. God says forgive with the words He gave in the Lord’s prayer or by the words He gave in the Great Command – Love me and your neighbor as yourself. Love cover all and keeps no record of wrongs.
Embrace your brother, sister at all times. Be as Christ unto them.
Prayer:
Help me this day to be like Jesus Lord, and embrace all just as Christ embraced all the little children. I need to be like a small child and cling unto my Father.
Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.