I always wondered what it would take to get in the book. I thought I could break the pogo stick record, but I never went into serious training.   Oh, well. 

 

In our reading today Matthew 18:15-20, Peter seems to think he is setting a world record for forgiveness. He asks how many times should I forgive my brother? 7 times? 

 

The rabbis said you can forgive somebody as many as 3 times and nothing more. Peter thought he was being generous. He doubled it and added one for good measure, and look you’ve got 7!   The biblical number for completeness. He thought he was being exceptionally generous and complete in forgiving.  

 

However Jesus says, “What about going for a new record—77 times.” That was as good as infinity, and THAT would be complete.  In other words Jesus says be a world champion of forgiveness. Don’t keep a record of wrongs. Keep on forgiving always.

 

Can you think of somebody that needs forgiving?

 

God help us to forgive others have you have forgiven us. Amen.