Forgiveness

Forgiveness (by David Peterson)

While in Capernaum, Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and how often we should forgive others. Jesus responded, in Matthew 18:22, by saying: “I do not say to you, up to 7 times, but up to 70 times 7.” With this He meant that all of us should forgive others innumerably. While 70 X 7 = 490, Jesus exaggerated the math to prove His point that there is no limit to forgiveness.

Christian writer and Holocaust survivor, Corrie ten Boom, once wrote: “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.“ After the war ended, she returned to Germany and she met with her former guards who had abused her and her sister.

Corrie had finished a talk in a Munich church about God’s forgiveness when a man approached her. This man claimed that he was a guard at Ravensbruck and that he had done many cruel acts while he was there. Then, he asked her for forgiveness. As her memories came flooding back of those days of torture and inhumanness, she wrestled with what to do. Words of Jesus also swirled in her head: "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

In her own words: “And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. With all my heart I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.” What truly had to be a God moment for Corrie was inspired by the grace and love of forgiveness.

The John Newton hymn “Amazing Grace” really sums up the moment that Corrie had with her former captor. “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch; like me!”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, remind us incessantly that forgiveness has no bounds and when we forgive we love and the everlasting light of Jesus shines upon us. Amen.