 |
 |
Devotions Archive
Archive:
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
For mercy's sakeMonday, March 28, 2011
Matthew 18:21-22
Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy times seven."
In these chapters of Matthew Jesus has been telling his disciples about their Father, about God. They have not understood how much God loves each one of them. He will protect them against anyone who wants to hurt or steal or bring them down. If any one of them turns away and then finds themselves lost, God will look for them down one blind alley after another. He will never stop. If I am lost I still can rest, assured that I will finally be found. Even when I insist on my own terms, even if I hurt others on the way to my own selfish goals and reject the lifestyle God has shown me, He will begin again with me. He'll "start from scratch, confront me with the need for repentance, and offer once again His forgiving love" (Matt 18:17 - The Message). Seventy times seven. God is "unfair" - He gives me what I do not deserve. In debt up to my ears, He forgives every penny. And all along the way, no matter what, he won't stop forgiving me. Seventy times seven? And seventy more? And then again? How can I understand this patience when I become closed, skeptical and even bitter after only a few forgivings of my own? God tells this story over and over and over and over. "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours" (Luke 15:31). "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28). "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). On Sunday our pastor at Vineyard, Happy Leman, suggested we stop going to all the trouble of buying little 8 lb tanks of propane, and just hook up our grills up to natural gas and have all we need all the time. The pipeline is deep and wide, and the love never stops running. God's in charge. Of course I can love and forgive and make peace and be patient. God shows me how. Your love changes me all the way in, Lord, and I am learning to love like you. When You make me so important in your life, I can learn to do the same with You and with others. You make all things possible, You make all things new. |
Peter thought he was going way beyond the established rules. Seven times, not just once. Jesus was not impressed.