WEEK 4 | FORGIVENESS
What does Forgiveness look like?
Read and meditate on Matthew 18:21-35
Guiding Thoughts:
There are two main profound things that happen in this scripture. Jesus is explaining how he wants his disciples to forgive.
The first thing to notice is that Peter’s “seven times” would have been considered a generous amount in that time period. Most of the time, people would get in feuds, debt, or any inconvenience and there would be no forgiveness. Either the situation would appear in the courts or among religious leaders. To forgive without a repayment or satisfaction among both parties was extremely uncommon. Therefore, Jesus’ comment of “seventy times seven” (or some translations may say ‘seventy seven’) was absolutely astounding. It would equate to endless forgiveness.
The second main notice is the amount of debt. Depending on translations the quantity may read differently. However, it has been commonly decided among scholars to classify that quantity as 10,000 talents. A talent being worth about 20 years of labor work. Naturally, it was completely unpayable and Jesus is calling for his disciples, in grace, to forgive that.
In the same way that we have all been forgiven of sin and the unpayable grace of God. We have been forgiven and we are called to forgive likewise. It seems Jesus is stating that those who don’t forgive in this way cannot themselves have experienced God’s forgiveness.
Questions:
Do you find forgiveness to be a struggle in your life? If so, how do you think you can practice overcoming that struggle?
Are there people in your life, or things that come to mind, where you need to take a posture of forgiveness?
How are you going to practice forgiveness?