“The Peter came and said to [Jesus],
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?
Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18.21, NASB)
Have you ever felt like Peter?
Has anyone ever wronged you so many times that you think to yourself, “I can’t forgive ___________ anymore!!!”
Peter’s question continues to resonate throughout the ages, because he speaks to the pain and frustration each of us feels when we are wronged–especially when wronged repeatedly by the same person.
In essence, Jesus was telling Peter that he ought forgive repeatedly and completely. Jesus’ command is not complicated, but it is not necessarily easy, nor is it optional.
So how do we do it? How does one fulfill this challenging yet essential command of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Look at Jesus and imitate Him.
Jesus is not asking us to do anything He himself hasn’t already done.
Consider Matthew 27. As Pilate washed his hands of responsibility for Jesus’ execution, the crowd declared, “His blood be on us and on our children.” They were vehemently determined to end Jesus’ life. They might have justified the crucifixion of an innocent man through some twisted sense of justice, yet in their heart of hearts, they knew their bloodlust was wrong.
Fast forward to Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost:
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
(Acts 2.36-39, ESV)
Look at the magnitude of Jesus’ forgiveness: the very sin the Jews were so intent on doing (being directly responsible for the death of Jesus) was the very thing for which they were seeking forgiveness–and Jesus extended it. Furthermore, Jesus forgave Peter for his denial, His apostles for their abandonment, and His executioners for their ignorance. He has also forgiven you,
Consider the many sins you have committed against the Lord. What evil thoughts have you harbored? What harm have you done to others? What anger have you wrongfully unleashed?
The older I get, the more clearly I see sins from my early years as a Christian that I didn’t even recognize at the time. Although I know the grace of God, it’s important that I continue to remember—with humility—how much I need it.
Jesus extends forgiveness to me on a daily basis. If I look in the mirror at my shortcomings, and look into God’s word and see his longsuffering, what He asks me to do is so small when compared with all that He has done for me.
We can forgive the worst offenses made toward us because Jesus has forgiven our mountain of offenses towards Him. As C.S. Lewis aptly observed, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
As you consider the scriptures chosen for this plan, take time to reflect on the great love, grace, and mercy which Jesus has richly showered on you. If you have anything you need to forgive, do it speedily and with that same love, grace, and mercy you’ve received from the hand of the Lord.
Let’s be forgiving to others just as we have been forgiven by the Lord, and let’s do so from a mindset of humility and gratitude.
I hope you’ll join us this month as we copy these passages. I frequently post each day’s verse on Facebook and Instagram (@elihuscorner). Please stop by and leave a comment or a question. I always love hearing your insights!
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