Matthew 18: 21-35
verses 21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times should 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.”
The parable that follows tells of the servant whose master forgave his debt. The servant went and found a man who owed him money and demanded his money immediately.
When I think more about this parable, I realize we live our lives as the first servant. We have already been forgiven all of our sins. We live with that grace-ful gift, all of our lives as Christians. We cannot turn and be angry and pass judgement on others when we have been offered so much forgiveness ourselves. It is for God to do any judging, not us. And God has forgiven us, and has told us, over and over, to pass on that forgiveness.
Lord above, I am so very thankful for your forgiveness. I must forgive others and leave judgement behind. Just as you have told me I am forgiven, I must forgive others. I must treat others as I have been treated by you, with kindness and mercy. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
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.”
Lack of forgiveness usually has more effect on us than on the person we need to forgive. Resentment and anger are a poison to our souls. Sometimes it is not easy to let go of the anger or hurt, but if we put that anger, hurt and resentment into God’s hands, God will heal us. It may take some time, but Jesus does not expect us to deal with these hurts alone. He walks with us and gives…
Matthew 18: 21-35 Because I failed to forgive, I was bound to the evil which had been done to me. I could not move forward. I was drowning in my own dark world. As Jesus continues to emphasize forgiveness, I brought myself before God who forgives me for everything, who loves me beyond any sin. His forgiveness is not seven times, but seventy-seven times (in other words endless) to forgive from the heart is a grace I needed to pray for. I couldn’t do it on my own, and I knew this The forgiveness that God gives me is often difficult for me to receive. I think of how it is given generously to me so that I may …
Matthew 18: 21-35
This parable emphasizes the awesome comparative proportions of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The NRSV describes the debt of the first slave a “ten thousand talents.” A talent is described as being worth at least fifteen year’s wages. The second slave owed the first “one hundred denarii.” A denarius was about one day’s wage. One forgiven by God is utterly incapable of repaying the debt and the only meaningful tribute we can offer in return is striving in all things to show that kind of extravagant mercy and compassion to others.
Prayer - God of forgiveness, Your mercy knows no bounds. Help me to emulate Your mercy in forgiving my trespasses by forgiving those who trespass against me…