Forgiveness

Then Peter came and said to him "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive?  As many as seven times?"  Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times."  

Matthew 18, verses 21, 22

Forgiveness

How often have you disappointed someone else?  How often have you not lived up to that person's expectations?

Maybe you said something that just didn't come out right.  We've all had those numerous occasions when we wish we could take back what we said.  Maybe you showed up late, or forgot the other person's birthday.  Maybe you hurt the other person's feelings without realizing what you were doing until you had done it.  Maybe you were angry with the other person and in a calculated way, did in fact do or say something that you thought would hurt them back.  Maybe what you did was out of selfishness or ignorance.  Maybe you simply were not very bright.

Some will say, "Shake it off" and go on.   Don't you wish that the other person would simply give a little slack.  We long for their forgiveness so that we can wipe the slate clean and move on.

Do you know the slate has already been wiped clean?  Jesus did that in the atonement for your sin and mine.  Accept it!  Rejoice! And give thanks!

Whatever you've done, or done poorly, or not done that brings estrangement between you and another person, God has forgiven in the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the blessed gift of forgiveness.  May I accept it this day.  In Christ Jesus' name, I pray.  Amen.

Reprinted with permission of H. Gleason from St. Mark Presbyterian's 2002 Lenten Devotional.