Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 18:21-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Verse 22Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Verse 23"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. Verse 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; Verse 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. Verse 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' Verse 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. Verse 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Verse 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' Verse 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. Verse 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Verse 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Verse 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' Verse 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. Verse 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
Devotion
How often should I forgive? That is the question Peter asks Jesus. I sometimes wonder why Peter would ask such a question. Jesus has demonstrated through healings that sins are forgiven, even when Jesus had only just met the person in need of healing. Had Peter been so wronged by a friend multiple times that he needed to ask this question? Or was Peter challenging Jesus on the whole issue of forgiveness? I imagine Jesus’ answer was quite radical to Peter’s ears. “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.”
Jesus’ message has been about God’s love and mercy for us, even as broken people. When we sin, God doesn’t give up on us. God, through Jesus, continually reaches out to us to restore our relationship, modeling how we should restore relationships with those who sin against us. The answer of seventy-seven times indicates forgiveness that is limitless and uncountable.
Prayer
Loving God, your forgiveness is limitless. Help us not to keep score of wrongs done to us by others and to forgive them as you forgive us. Amen.
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