Daily Devotionals

Forgiveness

Posted in Grace/Forgiveness

Scripture: “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.’” – Matthew 18: 21-22

 

Forgiveness is such a simple concept but difficult to execute. Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Church shooting on June 17, 2015 was a tragedy. Family members of the victims prevented the ugliness that often happens after tragedies by publicly forgiving the young man who shot their loved ones. That kind of forgiveness takes my breath away. 

 

I often think, when I have had enough of someone’s nastiness to me, that I am justified in lashing back with a stinging word or smart remark or worse. I think I have been kind enough, tolerant enough, and am due some justice. But, I am supposed to forgive again. My affronts are small. Nobody has brutally killed someone I love. So if these good people in the Charleston church can forgive a killer, perhaps I can forgive a cruel remark one more time. And not resent it.

 

Prayer : Dear Lord, grant me the ability to forgive as Jesus directed us. Let me be forgiven for forgetting to forgive. Amen.

 

Submitted by Janet Katz