Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-25

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

How do you respond? When someone says, “thank you”, what do you say back? When someone says, “I’m sorry”, how do you respond? There are many different answers that one can say, or perhaps you don’t even say anything. While many of these different answers might be similar, there’s only one way we should respond to someone’s apology. The other answers simply aren’t sufficient.

When you do something wrong, you want to know that everything can be made right again. This is why apologies are important. When we mess up, we have to own our mistakes and let others know that we won’t do them again. However, the other side is equally important for relationships. When someone sins against us, we have to forgive. This is the response we’re all looking for. Saying “It’s ok” or “it’s fine,” or any variation isn’t enough. Forgiveness is different than these.

This is what Jesus teaches us in our Gospel lesson this week. As Peter comes to ask Jesus how often we should forgive others, Jesus surprises them again with his answer. “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven,” Matthew 18:22. When many people consider even three times excessive, Jesus stretches it even farther. Don’t bother counting then, because you’ll miss the entire point if you do. Forgiveness is supposed to be always on our lips. We’re to be quick to forgive, regardless of how many times we’ve been sinned against.

Jesus then tells us a parable to illustrate this point. A man owed a king ten thousand talents. This was more money than he could make in a thousand lifetimes. Yet, for his pleading, the king forgives him! All of that debt was wiped away. Yet, when this same servant is owed about a month’s wage, he seeks to toss his fellow servant in prison. It shouldn’t sit well with us. It feels like something is missing… because it is!

Forgiveness means far more than saying, “it’s ok”. Forgiveness isn’t just sweeping sin under the rug. It’s not a “We’ll deal with this later.” Forgiveness is the erasing of debt. It’s the washing away of sin by blood being shed. When we say, “I forgive you,” what we are saying is, “I will never hold this against you. It’s gone.” Because this is what Jesus did for us. As Jesus hung on the cross for several hours, he says the most important words, “Father, forgive them…” Luke 23:34. God has forgiven you all your sins for the sake of Christ. He has erased every last debt you owe because Jesus paid for it on the cross. He has forgotten all the wrong you have done against him. He has given you a clean slate. For the sake of Christ then, how much more shall we forgive our fellow brothers and sisters so that we can walk together in peace and love with Christ!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!