I think one of the hardest things to do in life is to forgive the same person over and over and over again. It’s a taxing situation, one that tests your patience and challenges your ability to keep this person in your life. This person just doesn’t seem to get it, you might think. They keep hurting me and they never seem to learn. How many times does this have to happen before I finally stop forgiving them?
This is a good question, and one appropriate for our FORGIVENESS FRIDAY series.
The Disciple Peter once asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Once? Twice? As many as seven times?” Jesus gave his answer by way of a parable, something He did often to help make His point easy to understand.
“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’
The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”
--Matthew 18:23-35 (MSG)
This parable has always blown my mind, because it speaks to a scenario that I’m positive happens every day in our world in some form or fashion. I mean, how many times have you been shown forgiveness by someone else, and then you turn around and refuse to show forgiveness to someone who has hurt you?
Let me expound on that question a little further.
Has someone ever forgiven you for hurting them, but then later on that same person hurts you, and you refuse to forgive them?
The scenarios are probably immeasurable, but here’s the thing that Jesus is pretty clear on…we owe others a limitless amount of mercy and forgiveness.
Why?
Because Jesus does the same for us. HE DOES! There will never be a time when we mess up that Jesus says, “You know what, that’s it! I’m not forgiving you anymore. You never learn and you keep making the same hurtful choices towards me…I just…I can’t do it anymore.”
That kind of talk just sounds weird and petulant when you think about Jesus Christ saying it, right? Of course it does! Jesus would never say those things and He will always be willing to forgive (an unlimited amount of times), but in turn, He expects us to do the same towards others. Now that doesn’t mean you’re letting others take advantage of your forgiveness…I want to make that clear. But holding on to resentment in your heart for another, will only cause the joy God wants you to experience in life, to be chipped away slowly and painfully.
Forgiveness is hard and unlimited forgiveness seems impossible. But never forget that with God’s help, we can do anything. Lean on Him and let Him teach you how to let go and forgive.
Peter: “Lord, when someone has sinned against me, how many times ought I forgive him? Once? Twice? As many as seven times?
Jesus: “You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.”
