I have been thinking about this for quite some time. Just what did Jesus mean when He told Peter to forgive his brother not just seven times, but seventy times seven, or four hundred ninety times, and this is just in one day. Wrap you head around that thought for starters. Do the math and you will be amazed. Your life is to be one of forgiveness.
Turn to Luke 17:3-4 and you will see where Peter was coming from. He was always one who was ready to speak. Probably had a type A personality. He had just heard Jesus say these words at the home of a Pharisee (chapter 14) where they were eating one Sabbath day and Jesus was doing His usual teaching and eating. Food was the draw factor and He took advantage of our carnal pleasure to teach those who gathered around and give them the spiritual food that they needed so badly.
Just where did Jesus get this info? He had already said seven times we are to forgive our brothers who sin against us. The Rabbinical priest taught that three times was enough and Jesus doubled that right before them. But here in Matthew eighteen Jesus blows it out of the ballpark with unlimited forgiveness. Peter was in fact putting a limit upon his mercy towards his brother. Jesus was beginning to reveal that God’s mercy was limitless and eternal. Forgiveness needs to be a way of life for us Christians.
So to answer my question I posed before. Where? Jesus got it from His Father who was the originator of mercy towards us. God so loved the world that He gave us His Son, and all those who believe on Him will get eternal life. Total forgiveness to anyone who believes, and that is past, present, and future. Seventy times seven without limit. All we need do is ask and it will be done for us. Period!
This life that each of us has, is to be lived on this principle of forgiveness not only to other’s but to our own selves. We harbor unforgiveness over sin’s we have committed in the past, and unlike Paul we fail to forget it and keep looking forward to our high calling in Christ Jesus unto God. In other words laying aside all those weight’s that so easily beset us and slow us down so we lose sight of reality and drive through life looking in our rear view mirror. Remember we are not under any condemnation by God, it’s only an illusion, a mirage so to speak. Something dead, gone, and supposed to be buried. Stop letting this zombie walk around. Forgiveness is like an exercise, the more you use it the stronger you become. The easier it will be to forgive, and love God, love people, and enjoy your life as Priest unto God.
Priest? What do you mean? I’m not Catholic or am I? In the Old Testament Priest were not self appointed they were chosen by God. So we too are also chosen by God (Romans 12:1-2, Revelation 1:6, 13, 5:10,16). I have written on this subject in past letters to you, so please go back and read them if you have not done so. This is probably the biggest asset and liability that besets the Church today. Too many priest not doing their job and the few who call themselves “pastors” trying to do more than they are supposed to do.
Brethren this must not be so. We all are Priest, now! Period! Get into the habit of doing your own study of God’s word, you will be amazed to what you uncover. The Word of God is not just for the “Pastor” or leadership, it is for everyone who names the name of Jesus as their own. We are God’s children and we should want to be doing what God does. How do you know what God does? Read the New Testament and prepare to be amazed. You will find out how you are supposed to live daily. Love and mercy will be your lifestyle once you allow Holy Spirit to energize you, the real you, your spirit.
Watchmen Née wrote a book years ago called The Kingdom of God Is Within. Find a copy and read it sometime. It’s deep. Very deep.
We as Christians are a special race of people, a race of Priest unto God. The Catholics have this part down pat, but just a little off. I’m not anti Catholic but just like any of the organized religions it is self promoting and exclusive to those who are in the inner circle. We are all Priest even if we do not know it. We all have our own talents, jobs, and responsibilities.
You will never fulfill God’s plan for you until you start to realize you are set apart by God from the beginning to do a special task that only you can fulfill. Get alone with the Word of God and find out what your task is.
I hope you enjoyed this small look into “70×7” and come away with the understanding that your mercy and Gods mercy are to be the same. Unlimited and abounding with love. Remember you will make it just don’t give up. See you next time as we keep looking into our Bible to see what God has to say.
In His Service as Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 