Seventy-seven sounds like a very big number. But Jesus was not really counting. He was saying: stop counting. God does not count your mistakes. God does not keep a list of the times you fell. God's love is bigger than any number. It is taller than your block tower, deeper than the sea, wider than the sky. When Grace forgave Marcus and built again, she was doing what God does. Every time you forgive, you are sharing a little piece of God's big love. And here is the wonderful part: God's love for you is even bigger than the best love you have ever known. It never runs out. It never walks away. It never stops. Today, sit still for three whole minutes. Do not try to be good. Do not fix anything. Just let God love you. That is the whole point.
πGod Loves Me
Seventy-Seven Times
How many times must I forgive? Jesus said: not seven, but seventy-seven.
October 1, 20262 min readNIV
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'
β Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
The parable of the unmerciful servant
Today's Story
βοΈFictitious Story
The afternoon light came warm through the kitchen window, and Grace's block tower reached her chin. Her little brother Marcus crawled past, and the tower fell. "Mama," Grace said, "how many times do I have to forgive him? Up to seven times?" I gave her the answer I had learned. It sounded small in the quiet kitchen. My phone lay by the fruit bowl, a message left on read for two days. Grace did not ask again. She picked up the blocks and started building. I thought of Peter, who asked Jesus the same question. Jesus said: not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Grace was already on her third try. I picked up my phone and finally sent the reply.
Reflection
Think About It
β’ When did someone forgive you, even when you did not deserve it? How did that feel? β’ Who is one person you can stop counting today? What would it look like to start over with them?
Prayer
God, sometimes forgiving is so hard. My heart feels small and tired. Yet I will trust You. Your love is bigger than my tired heart. When I am tired of forgiving, remind me how many times You have forgiven me. Teach me to build again, seventy-seven times and more. Amen.