Printer Friendly VersionMatthew 18:21-35, Exodus 15:1b-11, Romans 14:1-12
Typically, forgiving someone who has hurt us is not high on
our life’s priority “to do” list. While I am certain of God’s
forgiveness of sin, I’m not yet convinced that this same forgiveness
is always evident with us and it appears that neither was the Apostle Peter
when he asked Jesus in today’s gospel…
“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against
me? Seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)
I can’t help but wonder what was going through Peter’s
mind at that time. It probably had something to do with the preceding verses
(15-20), where Jesus is teaching them about correcting a fellow believer.
I wonder if Peter was reflecting on someone who had “sinned against him?”
Was his question a personal matter? Was Peter facing one of life’s most
difficult dilemmas – having to forgive someone who has hurt us?
If so, let’s be honest, that’s hard to do because
we don’t want to free that person from bearing the guilt of hurting us.
Deep down inside we may want that to bother them a bit, to which Jesus replies
to Peter, “No! Seventy times seven!” Which in the language and life
of God, translates to an infinite number!
Last weeks sermon sets us up beautifully for this Sunday’s
gospel story on The Unforgiving Servant. Resolving conflict results with forgiveness,
and let’s be honest, takes a lot of “dying to ourselves” to
do. Thus Peter’s question, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone
who sins against me?” (v.21) This question is descriptive of one of life’s
most difficult dilemma’s. Forgiveness is hard to do yet we face congregations
every week, everywhere, who have a lot of this to do! Not to mention me and
you.
It’s at this point the text gives us some plain penetrating
reminders, “Be patient with me” (18:26), is a good reminder to us
when we have been wronged by another. “Filled with pity” (18:27).
Wow, what does that look like?
Perhaps it’s the same pity which God expresses toward us
that we must also express toward others! We were not worthy of his forgiveness,
but nonetheless he gave his Son in order that we may be forgiven! Likewise
do the same toward others, do not, as today’s epistle lesson conveys,
criticize or condemn. After all Jesus says, “shouldn’t you have
had mercy on him as I have had on you?” (18:33)
Most definitely! You see it’s the example of Christ that
we must follow when it comes to forgiveness – always for everything!
No matter Peter’s issue, Jesus was essential once again telling him –
“follow me.” Little did Peter realize that this same sort of forgiveness
would be offered to him after denying his Lord! Jesus knew that forgiveness
was going to a large part of Peter’s ministry as it is in ours.
So, when we experience any hesitancy when it comes to forgiving
those who have “sinned against us,” remember the example of Jesus
and Paul’s admonish to the church at Rome, “Christ died and rose
again for this purpose…remember each of us will have to give a personal
account to God. So don’t condemn each other any more.” (Romans 14:9a,
12-13b)
It doesn’t help to harbor hurt and if you’re afraid that those who have caused the hurt, “won’t have to pay,” remember earlier on in the same epistle to the Romans, “never payback evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.” – forgive…(Romans 12:17-18). Amen.
