The Eraser on the Desk
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:21-22 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
Sam's brother knocked his pencils onto the floor. Sam forgave him, and they picked them up. The next morning, his brother bumped the desk again. Sam started counting all the things his brother had ever knocked over.
Mom sat beside them. His brother needed to move more carefully, and Sam needed to stop using yesterday's mistake as a reason to be mean today. They moved the pencil cup to a safer corner.
Jesus taught Peter that forgiveness should not run out after a small number of mistakes. That does not mean we ignore what needs to change. Sam's brother could learn to be careful. Sam could forgive without keeping a list to read aloud whenever he was angry. Both boys had something good to practice at the same little desk.
A small step for today
Forgiveness should not become a game of counting how many chances remain. Let go of the wish to get even. Tell the truth about what happened and seek help when you need it. If someone keeps hurting you, speak to a trusted grown-up. Forgiving a person does not mean keeping harmful behaviour secret or letting it continue.
For the grown-up reading along
Peter asks about repeated forgiveness. Jesus rejects a small limit on mercy, and the following parable exposes the wrong of receiving great forgiveness while withholding it from others.
Read the KJV passage aloud. Explain unfamiliar words in ordinary language without changing the quotation.
Read further: Matthew 18 in the King James Bible.