Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Let’s start with a point of clarity. The phrase “forgive and forget” is not found in the Bible. At least nowhere I am aware of. If you have found it somewhere, please let me know! There is no question that the concept of forgiveness is central to the Christians' interaction with the world. Forgetting, however, is where things get a little weird. There is no factory reset on the human mind. No matter how much we want to push them out, the memories of wrongdoings are always present. That we can’t help but remember the pain caused by others, makes the words of Jesus in Matthew 18 a nearly impossible pill to swallow. I say nearly because all things are possible in Christ! (We will see this in the next chapter.)

When Peter pressed Jesus on how many times forgiveness should be extended, he thought he was going above and beyond by offering 7 as an option. I mean 7 offerings of forgiveness seem like an incredible gesture to me.

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:22

Is the expectation really to forgive someone seventy-seven times? Some translations even interpret Jesus’ answer to be “seventy times seven,” which is 490 times! That seems a little excessive right? The point is not the number. The point is the act. To forgive when forgiveness is not expected or deserved because that is exactly what God has extended to each and every one of us.

The parable that follows this incredible proclamation in verses 23-35 reminds us that our ability to forgive is rooted in our being forgiven. You forgive because He has first forgiven you. Unexpected and undeserved forgiveness. That is the true reflection of God’s goodness.

Reflections:

• Is there someone you need to forgive? Reach out and start a conversation today.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Family Application: Living Like Jesus

Author: Scott Strahan

As Jesus taught His disciples, they often asked about the kingdom of Heaven; they wanted to know how life would be there. Once they asked who would be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. What they really wanted to know was if they would have positions of authority, power, and responsibility. Jesus told them it was not those in charge who were the greatest, but those who came to God with a heart and mind of humility, trusting God, and seeking to know and follow Him were the greatest; they were the reason God sent Jesus to earth in the first place.

Jesus went on to teach them about God’s love for us, and how He never gives up on us and is always looking for us even when we don’t care much about being with Him. He seeks after us because He knows that kids (and even adults!) don’t always know what is best. Jesus is always looking out for us and teaching us because He loves us so very much.

Jesus is not trying to make our lives perfect, but His desire is to teach us how to respond when problems pop up. He taught the disciples how they should react to others who don’t treat them right. He says we should not get mad and tell them how rotten they are, but that we should talk to them and point out how what they did hurt and wronged us. In addition, we should be willing to forgive them, even if it’s not the first time it has happened. He knows this is not easy, so he told them a parable (a story) that teaches us that we are to forgive others for how they have wronged us because God forgives us when we sin against Him.

• Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving us so much that You told us all about You by leaving us Your Word in the Bible; and You sent Jesus to earth to teach people who would tell others who would one day tell us about Your unending love for us. Thank You for teaching us about life, how we should live, and how we should get along with others. Please forgive us when we get it wrong, and when we do things that hurt others and hurt You. We love You for Your goodness and righteousness. Amen.