Tuesday, April
12, 2022
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? It is rumored that actor, John Wayne, said: “Everyone
deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on him.”
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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