| Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
In Matthew 18:21-35, we read about the Parable of the Unforgiving Man. It is something that many of us struggle with in life. People hurt us, and we hurt people, and because of this, we hold on to unforgiveness.
Peter comes to Jesus and asks a question: “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” Peter knew the Law says that we were to forgive someone three times. So Peter adds to the Law and says, If we forgive someone seven times, he feels that was being gracious to a person.”
But Jesus responds in verse 22: “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven.” Jesus was not talking about the Law or about how many times we forgive someone, but about the spirit of forgiveness. Jesus is our example, not the Law. The purpose of the Law is to show us our faults, sins, and failures.
Jesus gives the Parable of the man who owed the king millions of dollars, and he calls him in, and has every right to enslave him and his family until he pays off the debt. There was no way that this man could ever pay back the debt. And the king forgives him of the entire debt.
The man goes out rejoicing in his forgiveness. But as he is walking home, he sees a guy who owes him $15.00, and has him arrested and thrown in jail. The king heard about what the wicked servant had done and threw him into prison until he paid the entire debt.
The King is Jesus! He forgives us of ALL of our sin! And He wants us to give forgiveness to others because of His forgiveness towards us!
Lord, help us to have the Spirit of Jesus, and to forgive others because of the forgiveness that we have received from Jesus! Help us to give to others what Jesus has given to us over and over again!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
