Winter Bible Study Session 1
|
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
|
Series: Parables of Matthew
DescriptionSession 1Responsibilities toward One Another in the Kingdom of God (Matt 18) B. Forgiveness in the Kingdom: How Often Are We To Forgive? (Matt 18.21-35) As with the previous parable, Jesus tells this story in response to a question from the disciples. Peter asked how often he should forgive a brother or sister who sinned against him. Peter offered his own stab at it, “seven times?” Jesus responds, seventy-seven times (18.21-22). This is sometimes translated “seventy times seven” (490 times), but that is due to the KJV’s missing the Greek idiom. Jesus meant an unlimited number. This was a revolutionary concept. The basic teaching of this parable can be summed up in these simple words: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” (Matt 6.12). In essence, the answer to Peter’s question was, “if you’re still counting, no matter how many times you forgive, it is not forgiveness” (France, The Gospel of Matthew, 705). David Wenham captured the essence of this parable when he said that “those who have received God’s revolutionary love are to share it with others,” (Wenham, The Parables of Jesus, 153). In this way the revolution spreads. In this matter, Christians shouldn’t count. |