Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:21-22
Dear God, I wonder where this question from Peter came from. Right now, I’m only looking at Matthew’s version of Jesus’ life, and maybe he was just really into Peter—good stuff, bad stuff, and all, but I’m really noticing as I scan these stories that Peter is almost always the only disciple identified as a solo speaker. In most other stories, if the disciples speak they are credited as a group.
In this story, something has driven Peter to ask this question. And is he speaking about his brother Andrew or a figurative brother among the disciples? I suppose it doesn’t matter, but I had never considered he might be specifically referring to Andrew.
There was something in Peter’s personality that was very black and white. He judged others and himself on the ability to be good. There wasn’t a lot of room for gray. One either did the right thing and succeeded or did the wrong thing and failed.
One interesting weakness I observed in myself as my children were growing up was that I am usually very diplomatic and thoughtful in how I approach someone who works for me when I need to reproach them over an issue. But when my kids would do something wrong as children, my tendency was to be much more straight up confrontational. Perhaps it was because it’s the pattern I fell into when they were babies and toddlers and I had a hard time growing out of it. I am getting better now that they are adults. My wife has helped me a lot in this area. But my tendency is still to be more black and white with them.
Father, help me to be a generous forgiver. Help me to be sympathetic and empathetic. Help me to also humble myself and seek forgiveness when I need to—both from others and from you. I only know how to live because of the love you give me. Let the same be true with other area of my life. Help me to know how to relate to others through your example of how you relate to me.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Emails to God 