Devotion for Saturday, January 18, 2025

“Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Every language has idioms.  This is one of them in Hebrew.  Seven is the number of perfection.  How many times?  Not just until you are perfect, as if it were about you, but as many times as necessary until your neighbor is also perfect.  It is not about becoming a flawless being.  Lucifer was that before he was cast out of heaven.  It is about being in relationship.  In this age, that can only happen with forgiveness.

Lord, You know how and where I harbor resentments and hold back forgiveness.  I remember things from long ago and I will not let them go.  The lack of forgiveness eats at me.  Teach me to forgive as I have been forgiven.  Let me see how silly it is to hold on to these things which only harm me.  Guide me out of the fog of this age to see that in eternity, there will be all kinds of people and one of the things we will hold in common is being both forgiven and having learned how to forgive.

Forgive me Lord Jesus for not living as You have taught me to live.  Guide me deeper into the gift of faith You have given me.  Teach me how to be one who is forgiving.  In Your goodness, remind me each time I hold on to a grudge to let it go.  Grant me an attitude that is forgiving of others as You always forgive me.  Lead me into a life that forgives as I have been forgiven.  Amen.