Lessons from Matthew 18: Forgiveness

A Heart of Forgiveness: Matthew 18-21-35

With all the talk about humility and restoration, Peter raised the question, Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?

Now it was common for the Jews to extend forgiveness to people up to 3 times. But after that they were done and would turn away or put them out. So Peter thought he was being generous in offering up his “seven times.”

But Jesus’s way was far superior to the ways of the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus said, “Peter, I tell you not seven times but 77 times!” Meaning, who’s keeping count, Peter?

Had Peter already forgotten how many times He had been forgiven and not taking into mind how many more times he would need?

And then Jesus taught through this illustration of a man who had such a great debt that there was no way he would have ever been able to pay it off. When the man was confronted with his debt, he begged for mercy from his master, seeking forgiveness and patience. The master gave more than the man could ever think or imagine. The master cancelled the debt and set the man and his family free.

But when the man went out, he found one who owed him. It was not nearly the same, but it was a debt owed.

When the man’s friend begged for mercy, instead of giving what he had received – mercy and forgiveness and freedom – the friend began to choke the man and insist that he be paid back. Because the man had nothing with which to repay his friend, he was thrown into prison.

Well, when the news of this got around, the other servants went to the Master who had forgiven much and set the first man free. When the Master heard the news, He called the servant back in. He called him wicked and reminded him of all that he had been forgiven and scolded him for not extending the same mercy and forgiveness to his friend.

As a consequence of his sin of unforgiveness, the Master had the man thrown into jail to be tortured until he could pay back all he owed. Which would be never!

This Master is Jesus and we as sinners owe more than we could ever pay back. Our sin is greater than anything we could offer. But in His grace, His favor extended to us, we who owe much have been forgiven. Our debt has been canceled on the basis of the cross and Jesus Christ’s death on it. And therefore all who believe in Him should not perish but receive everlasting life!

Therefore, since greatly we have been forgiven, greatly we should forgive!

To forgive means we do not retaliate or bring up past offenses. When we consciously remember how much God has forgiven us, it is easier to forgive others. When we refuse to forgive, we suffer consequences of guilt, anger, bitterness, and more.

To refuse to forgive may mean we are not a Christian after all and in danger of eternal judgment. Jesus gave this same warning in too many places for us to give it any other explanation!

Have you personally received the forgiveness of God through the person of Jesus Christ? If not, why not make today the day of your salvation?

And if you have already made this profession of faith and received the forgiveness of Christ, is there someone you are holding hostage in your mind or heart? Someone who needs your love and forgiveness? Won’t you reach out and be restored?

Then we will all rejoice in the Lord with you!

That’s what this life was made for and that is what heaven is all about.

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach