Times

"Not seven times, but seventy times seven," Matthew 18:22.

That's what Jesus answered. Peter had asked Jesus how many times should he forgive a sinner brother. Now, we might feel that forgiving somebody seven times would be over-the-top generous. You know, three strikes and you're out. That's what we think. But Jesus says, not even. Not even seven. Yes. A new way of thinking. Forgive hundreds of times! Why on earth would he say that? Because, he said, each of us ourselves had a ten million dollar debt; God gave us mercy and forgave it all. And so. So he expects us to forgive the fifty dollar debts somebody else owes us. If we will not nurture mercy in our own hearts after God planted it there, he will take it away. Jesus said. And hand us over to merciless debt-collectors. Sky kingdom.

We visit with a brother or sister today to encourage mercy growing in our hearts. And, together, grateful receivers of God's overwhelming mercy, we praise Christ for his merciful generosity at the cross.