Matthew 18:21-35
21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
When I read this passage this morning I am reminded: I owe my very existence to God. How can I for even a second believe that anyone owes me anything here on earth? We are all here at the grace and mercy of God. I have no right to hold a grudge. I owe all I have, and all I am, to Him. My life needs to be dedicated to and motivated by love for God, and love for His creation.
Lord, hear my prayer. Help me to be forgiving and generous to all of your people. You have forgiven me all of my sins. I must forgive all those who sin against me. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 18:21-35
When I forgive others there is a freedom where I no longer feel restrained by my own anger. It moves me from my selfish thoughts to a new beginning. It is hard work. But letting go of the idea that I can change the past, that I can change others, or even that I am the one to change and seek God to help the resentment I feel. Each time I can forgive, it paves the way for the next time I need to. Practicing the courage and patience, and asking the Lord for help in forgiveness is like learning to play the piano, our ability grows stronger and stronger. Together with Him we can co…
Matthew 18:21-35 This reading starts with Peter asking about how often we need to forgive someone. The Rabbi’s of the day taught that you forgave three times. Peter generously added to that and said seven times, probably thinking he was being generous. BUT, Jesus said seventy times seven! We probably couldn’t even keep track of that number, but this simply means we must always forgive. Jesus forgave so much—our sins by his death on the cross, the criminals who were with him, even Peter for denying him, and many more. He didn’t just say to forgive, he set an example for us to follow. As humans, we do find this a difficult lesson. God forgave our sins, how can …
2021-0326 Friday, Daily Devotion - Matthew 18:35 (NIV)
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
I am so strict to my children but I am so generous to myself. Sometimes I am so strict to myself and too generous to my children or others. God showed us how God sees and interacts with people and Jesus also lived out how we should live on earth by example. Regarding Forgiveness, God told us to forgive others as we were forgiven by God. It is very difficult to forgive sometimes but we have to remember that we are forgiven by God.
Lord, my God, thank you for…
Matthew 18: 21-35
21 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?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Sometimes forgiveness is not easy to give to those who have hurt us. It is necessary for a few reasons. To follow God’s command and for our peace of mind. When I am hurt, the first thing that happens is anger, then sorrow and after thinking about the issue, forgiveness. I cannot carry a grudge. There are times that I have tried to do this, but I cannot. This has to be a gift from the Holy Spirit.…
Matthew 18:21-35
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
This is the message to hear in this reading. Forgiving from the heart I think, is not the common way. The master forgave 10,000 talents of debt—one talent is the equivalent of 20 years of a labor’s wages. This is what forgiving from the heart would be like. Forgive completely. Never think of the hurt again. This would be very difficult.
Dear Lord, I will try to do this kind of forgiving but I will need much help from you. Amen.