How Many Times?

 How Many Times?


Matthew 6:9-13           Matthew 18:21-22


God forgives us repeatedly, radically, and undeservedly. And we have been called to extend that same forgiveness to others.

It’s not easy. In fact, it can be really frustrating. One day, Peter asked Jesus a question we all have probably wondered at some point—How many times should I forgive someone? And Jesus responds with a math problem that cuts right to the heart of the issue.

Let’s check it out.

Pray…

Heavenly Father, thank you for being so patient with me. Thank you for the finished work of Jesus and the fact that you never turn your back on us. You meet me with mercy every time. I need your mercy today. Help me be merciful like you are merciful. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

    Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22 NIV

Consider…

Peter was going for extra-credit with his guess about how many times we should forgive. Seven is a significant number in Jewish culture—it’s the number of completion. Peter, knowing this and knowing Jesus, offers an answer to his own question. “Seven times. I will have completely forgiven someone if I do it seven times, right?”

But Jesus changes the game. In the Kingdom of God, forgiveness is not about addition; it’s about repetition.

If seven represents completion, then seventy-seven is complete completion. This is how Jesus teaches us to forgive.

Not, forgive until they figure it out and clean up their act. But, forgive as long as there is something left to forgive. In other words, as long as you are living and breathing, don’t stop forgiving.

Because, isn’t that exactly how God forgives us? Radically. Repeatedly. Undeservedly.

When it’s hard, frustrating, and tiring to keep forgiving, consider Jesus and what He endured to forgive you.

Practice…

As you pray today, continue to ask God to search you. Who do you need to keep on forgiving? Is there anyone in your life that you forgave half-heartedly, but are still harboring bitterness towards? Ask God to soften your heart towards them, and pray for them by name. Ask God to bless them and to give you the strength to forgive them as He has forgiven you.

Listen…

Create space to experience God’s presence by getting quiet, getting alone, and asking Him to speak. Start by setting a timer for five minutes.

Next, ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted, because you will get distracted, bring your focus back to God by repeating the first words of the Lord’s prayer: “Our Father…”

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you got to spend with Him, then head into your day looking for opportunities to better serve Him and serve others.

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