Forgiveness

Read Matthew 18: 21-35

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?"

"No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!" Matthew 18: 21-22 (TLB)

Ifenwembi Chinedu is from Anambra, Nigeria. When he was in college, it was his habit to use the teachers' chalk to write a short message on the blackboard after class. He hoped his messages would bless someone.

One day his friend erased everything Ifenwembi had written on the blackboard, calling it nonsense. Ifenwembi was furious and walked out of the class, wanting God to punish his friend for his actions. Ifenwembi took his devotional with him when he left, and the topic was on forgiveness. When Ifenwembi was done reading, he felt God ask him to apologize to his friend. It was difficult because he believed his friend was in the wrong, but he went and apologized for walking away angrily. His friend smiled, hugged him, and gave Ifenwembi a new chalk to write with.

Many times we want people to suffer for doing wrong to us. Sometimes it is difficult to forgive. But in those times, we can remember that Jesus' sacrifice brought us God's forgiveness. In receiving this grace-filled gift of God's love, we can find God's grace sufficient for us to be able to forgive others.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to forgive those who hurt us. Remind us of your forgiveness and grace, in Jesus' name. Amen.