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 times seven.”

– Matthew 18:21-22

In context of this Scripture, Jesus has been teaching His disciples about humility and self-sacrifice through the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the unforgiving servant. Jesus has just claimed to be the Son of God, which has aroused many questions from the disciples about their future and how they should live. 

Peter approached Jesus and asked Him how many times he must continue to forgive someone who repeatedly hurts him. In the Jewish culture, the Jews were required to forgive a particular person up to three times. After that, one is not required to forgive that person for their fourth transgression. 

In Peter’s mind, forgiving someone seven times was generous. Jesus brought a revolutionary view of forgiveness. Jesus told Peter that one should not just forgive their offender seven times rather than the traditional three, but they should forgive others seventy times seven times. 

Jesus is not just putting a large number to the amount of times we should forgive others, but He is portraying the concept of forgiving others unconditionally as He has forgiven us. 

This week’s praise is the freedom we can find in choosing to forgive others as Jesus does. 

Forgiving people who hurt us is one of the most difficult tasks. It is easy to hold grudges and recall offenses over and over again. However, Jesus calls us to repeatedly forgive others as He has already forgiven us. We will never be perfect, but through Jesus we are filled with His love and peace that aids us in forgiving those who have wronged us. 

As we go throughout our week, let us remember this truth and practice forgiving others seventy times seven times to experience the peace and joy of forgiveness. 

Dear God, thank you for displaying ultimate forgiveness through Your Son Jesus and for portraying the way we are called to forgive others. Please help us to remember this truth and forgive those who hurt us seventy times seven times.