Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 18:21-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Verse 22Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Verse 23"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. Verse 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; Verse 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. Verse 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' Verse 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. Verse 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Verse 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' Verse 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. Verse 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Verse 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Verse 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' Verse 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. Verse 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
Devotion
For many years I struggled to forgive someone I believe treated me unfairly. Whenever our paths would cross, I'd find myself bitter and consumed by negative thoughts. I eventually realized I didn't even like myself when this individual was around me. I shared with a friend the struggle I was experiencing. Her wise advice was this, "If you can’t forgive him, try starting by letting it go." It was amazing how the gradual act of letting my anger go helped me work toward actual forgiveness.
Peter struggled with the concept of forgiveness, too. When he asked Jesus about it, Jesus responded with these words: "Forgive not seven but 77 times." While Jesus' response sounds formulaic, his message is clear: "Forgive always or without limits." Forgiveness is rarely easy to do, and there isn’t a simple formula for living it out. Sometimes it means starting by letting something go. Sometimes it means forgiving someone over and over again. Whatever the case may be, it is an act of the heart that opens us up to live more fully into the life that Jesus desires for us.
Prayer
Lord, forgiveness is hard. Help me to open my heart to my brother and sister. Nudge me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen.