by Pastor Kyle Wangelin Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” -Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness can be exhausting. Peter speaks of this truth as he asks Jesus how many times he is supposed to forgive someone who sins against him. Peter is actually trying to impress Jesus by saying he is willing to forgive someone as many as seven times! Are you? It grows tiresome to forgive the same person for the same thing over and over again. We begin to ask ourselves if this person will ever change their behavior, if they will ever overcome their addiction, if they will ever grow up and mature. But then we hear Jesus’ response to Peter. No, not seven times. Again. Forgive them again. And when they sin against you again, you forgive them again. As we are beaten down by the sins around us and against us, growing weary and hesitant to forgive again, remember what Jesus has done for you. We are all that sinner. We have all sinned again, but Jesus has forgiven again. Take heart! And know what Jesus has done for, that He make work through you to forgive those trespass against you. Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned greatly. Some I am aware of, some I am not. But no matter the circumstances, you have forgiven me again because of the steadfast love that you have for me. Now that I have been freed from the burden of sin, may I be moved to take that burden from someone else by forgiving them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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About the AuthorsThe authors of this Lenten devotional are all staff members of Zion Lutheran Church & School of Wayside. They have answered the call to preach and teach the good news of salvation to both the young and the old of the school and congregation. This group of believers have a strong faith rooted in the Word. They are all members of the church professing the Christian faith and are excited to share their love of Jesus with you during this season. Archives
January 2025
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