Devotional: Seventy Times Seven

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
                                               — Matthew 18:21–22

Back in Sunday school, whenever this topic is discussed, you often see the children, usually the boys, trying to calculate exactly how many times they have to forgive a friend or sibling before they have the liberty to pay them back for the wrong they have suffered. When they discover that they have to forgive 490 times, you can almost see the disappointment on some of their faces. Others continue arguing that it is possible for someone to offend them 490 times in a day so they can finally seek revenge. 

From our anchor Scripture, Peter wanted to know whether forgiving a brother seven times was enough. Jesus replied, "Not seven times, but seventy times seven." Jesus' point was to lead Peter away from attaching a number to forgiveness. In other words, He was teaching Peter and the other disciples that there is no limit to forgiveness. Whether someone can offend us 490 times in a day or not, God wants us to show mercy to others just as He has shown mercy to us. In the verses that follow, Jesus illustrated this truth with the parable of the unforgiving servant whose master forgave him a great debt, yet he refused to forgive his fellow servant who owed him very little.

There is a saying that forgiveness is not for the offender but for the offended. There is truth in that. When you forgive someone who has hurt you and release them from your heart, you experience peace and freedom to move forward with your life. But when you hold on to unforgiveness, you become spiritually caged because your thoughts become consumed with the person, what they did to you, and how you can repay them. This attitude can keep you from growing because you are unable to see the opportunities and the lessons God may be revealing through that experience.

The Bible teaches that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. In one way or another, we all offend God and other people, yet we expect God to forgive us every time we repent. We also want others to understand the reasons behind our wrong actions, but we are often unwilling to extend that same understanding and forgiveness when others hurt us. It is okay to feel hurt. It is okay to grieve what happened. But do not let bitterness rule your life.

As you read this devotional, remember the prayer Jesus taught us: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." God never asks us to do something that is not for our good. He knows that when we forgive others, we are the ones who are set free from the chains of bitterness. We find peace of mind and make room for healing and growth. What was done to you may have been deeply painful, but leave it in the hands of God and free your heart. That is where you will find healing, peace, and strength for the journey ahead.