Scripture

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? Jesus replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Observation

Peter comes to Jesus with a question about forgiveness. How many times should I forgive someone? He suggests seven times but Jesus says “No seventy times seven.”

Jesus goes on to tell a parable about a king whose servant had amassed a huge debt The king at first orders the servant to be sold with his wife and children to pay off the debt. The main falls to his knees and pleads for mercy. So the king relents.

Later, the same servant finds a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. He refuses to have mercy on the man and has him thrown into prison. When the other servants hear about this, they go to the king who has the first main thrown into prison until he repays his debt.

Application

Some religious teachers taught that God would forgive a man three times and that we should not go beyond this amount of forgiveness. So, they would say you should only forgive someone three times. Peter thought his suggestion of seven times was good. But Jesus says, no, this is not enough.

We know if we are honest with ourselves that God, forgives us many more than three or even seven times. Jesus tells us that we are to be as generous in forgiving others as He is with us.

If we hold on to bitterness and refuse to forgive others when they hurt us, it is a sign that we have not truly understood the grace that God has shown us.

When we really feel the burden of seen lifted away, and when we really understand what that cost the father, we will have no choice but to forgive those who sin against us.

Prayer

Lord, it is impossible to go through life without being hurt by others. So now Lord, I forgive those who have sinned against me. And I pray that you give me grace to continue to forgive as you forgive me. Amen.