SEVENTY
TIMES SEVEN!
Matt 18:21-22
21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until
seventy times seven.
Peter
presents Jesus with a common problem. Someone sins against us and does not
apologize or ask forgiveness. How should we respond? Moreover, the offender wants
to resume the relationship as if nothing ever happened. How can we forget the
hurt they caused?
Regarding
forgiveness,
the Rabbi’s taught that three times was sufficient! Peter doubles that and then
adds one. Surely seven would seem most gracious. The Lord trumps Peter’s
addition with multiplication and offers 490
times as reasonable. Jesus then follows up with a parable which shows us
ALL to be guilty. Forgiveness is a Divine prerogative!
However,
for the sake of sanity, I recommend setting boundaries and restricting
access to the one who is persistent in offenses. Prov 4:14 says:” Enter not into the path of the wicked, and
go not in the way of evil men.” The
idea of establishing boundaries is a natural and a biblical one.
Dear
Lord, surely today someone will sin against me and I will likely sin against
another. Let me be quick to repent and just as quick to forgive. AMEN
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