Forgiveness

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.

Matthew 18 : 21-22 (NIV)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18

Post by: Chris H

We have a lot to be angry about right now. Resentment in our nation has boiled over onto our streets. Regardless of the justification, hatred is a monster that doesn’t care who it feeds on, only that it keeps getting fed. In retribution for one crime, we commit a thousand more. It would seem that there is no escape from this spiral of destruction and yet with God there is a way. He brought us a concept so foreign to our sinful nature that he had to make himself human and die on a cross to show us the way. Through Jesus Christ, God gave us forgiveness.

Even Jesus’ closest followers had difficulty understanding the idea. In Matthew chapter 18, Peter asks Jesus what the limit should be on forgiveness. Can we really just keep letting people off the hook, no matter how many times they hurt us? Isn’t 7 times enough? Jesus’ response to Peter is that if you think 7 is too great a number, try 490.

God has no limit to the amount of times He will forgive you and He expects you to show the same level of incredible mercy to others. When Jesus instructed his disciples how to pray (what we call the Lord’s Prayer) he made this point abundantly clear. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The Gospel of Matthew puts it this way, “for if you forgive people who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Of course, forgiveness isn’t easy. In the past I’ve been insulted, stolen from, cheated, and attacked. At times, I’ve felt like it would be impossible to let go of my anger. But when I pray for the strength to forgive, I focus on the fact that Jesus didn’t just preach forgiveness, he lived and died it. Even as he was being tortured, ridiculed, and nailed to a cross by his persecutors, Jesus did not allow hate to rule his heart. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

How can I be angry in light of such overwhelming mercy? 

How can I harbor resentment after being so completely forgiven?

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash