A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

GIVING FORGIVENESS      

Matthew 18:21-22 “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.” 

Giving forgiveness. Do you remember when you were a youngster, you got into a scrap with a brother or sister, your mother or father took the two of you by the arm, forced you to look at each other and then said to you, NOW APOLOGIZE, make up, or FORGIVE EACH OTHER. 

It is one thing to be told to forgive someone. It is another thing to do it. In today’s devotional verses Peter is struggling with forgiveness. He asked Jesus, “How many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Peter’s answer to his own question was seven times. That seemed more than sufficient to him. Well, that was true until Jesus said, “. . . not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” 

In the all-encompassing prayer Jesus taught, He addressed forgiveness in a straight forward way. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” When you think of forgiveness in this way, Jesus turns the table, doesn’t He? How many times do you sin? How many times do you expect your heavenly Father to forgive your sins? As you desire constant forgiveness then Jesus says, you should be willing to deal in the same way with those who sin against you. 

In Jesus’ teaching there is no “calculator justice,” no record keeping, no tit-for-tat relationships. As Jesus prayed with no reservations, conditions, or hedging from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” in teaching the fifth petition of the Lord’s prayer He exhorts you to offer forgiveness to those who sin against you. Remember, this petition is addressed to Yahweh, your heavenly Father, asking Him to forgive you and to bless you with forgiveness in your heart for those who sin against you. 

Prayer: Create in me, O Lord, a forgiving heart for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

“Forgive our sins as we forgive,”  
You taught us, Lord, to pray;  
But You alone can grant us grace  
To live the words we say. 

How can Your pardon reach and bless  
The unforgiving heart  
That broods on wrongs and will not let  
Old bitterness depart? 

In blazing light Your cross reveals  
The truth we dimly knew;  
What trivial debts are owed to us,  
How great our debt to You! 

Lord, cleanse the depths Within our souls  
And bid resentment cease;  
Then, bound to all in bonds of love,  
Our lives will spread Your peace. 

"Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive" // LSB 843