Jesus on Forgiveness
Jesus addresses forgiveness from two different angles. First, is the unrepentant brother, and the other is the gracious forgiver.
Not everyone you encounter will actually repent of their ‘sins’ against you that they have committed. Some will dig in so deep that nothing can convince them to apologize or change their ways. For those, Jesus says to distance yourself from them, AFTER trying to address the issue. But if, and when, they do ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive. No ‘out of chances’ or ‘reached the limit’. Genuine forgiveness is required of the one who loves the Lord.
Let’s rejoin Jesus and the disciples as they deal with the topic of forgiveness. I’m not certain where this conversation takes place in the timeline of Jesus’ life, but it fits well after addressing serious sin; cut off the part that is preventing you from serving the Lord.
Holy Spirit, lead me on this journey again. Show me what You would have me see in the story and take for my life. Help me to be more like Jesus every day. Help me also to focus on Your words and not the distractions around me.
♥ ♦ ♥
The night is long at the home of Peter. Jesus continues to teach well past the time most people retire. Peter wouldn’t dream of butting into Jesus’ time, but he has chores he MUST do, now that they are back in Capernaum. One of those chores is settling with one of his partners in the fishing business.
When Peter left to follow Jesus, it was agreed that his tools, including his boat, would be rented out to his partners. This ensured his wife had an income while he was away. He could not provide for her directly, as he never knew, from day to day, where Jesus would take them.
Peter slips from the house and makes his way to the home of Samuel. Peter is working hard to keep his frustration in check. His wife told him, when they had a private moment, that Samuel refused to pay the rent due. She could not confront Samuel as it was not her place. Peter promised that he would.
Samuel sees Peter standing at his door. He has no doubt that Peter is angry, with the force he put into his knock on the door. Samuel shakes his head. “Just like Simon to get all huffy” he says to himself.
When Samuel opens the door, Simon Peter greets him cordially. “Shalom, Samuel. Could I come in and talk with you? I have a matter of some importance that we need to discuss.”
Samuel steps aside and motions for Peter to enter the house. “Would you like some wine” Samuel offers.
“No. But thank you for the offer.” Simon begins pacing the room. He finally stops and faces Samuel.
“We need to talk about the agreement we reached when I left to follow Jesus.”
“What of it” Samuel says flippantly.
“You agreed to rent my boat and pay my wife for it each month. She tells me that she has not received anything from you in three months.”
“I have rented your boat so long that I could have bought one of my own” Simon snaps.
“Yes. I have been with Jesus for some time. But we had an agreement.”
“I have my family to think of. I cannot keep supporting yours as well.”
“But Samuel, you have no fishing tools of your own. You are using mine. And we struck an agreement.”
“I’m going out on my own” Samuel says with finality. “I won’t be renting your boat any longer. So, I won’t be paying your wife anymore.”
“Did you buy a boat of your own” Peter asks.
“I did.”
“Ok. Then I will have to find someone else to rent my boat to. Thank you for letting me know.”
“No. The boat is mine now. I have paid a fair price for it and I claim it as my own.”
“Samuel, I did not SELL my boat to you. It was a RENTAL.”
“And I have paid more than it is worth. It is mine now.”
“No. It is not” Peter says as his face darkens with anger.
“I want you to leave now” Samuel says while walking to the door.
“Where is my boat moored” Peter asks.
“You have no boat and I’m not willing to share the location of my boat.”
Peter is shaking with anger at this point, but, for the moment, there is nothing he can do about what is happening. He will have to take this before the elders in the morning. “This isn’t over Samuel. You have wronged me, you have robbed me!”
With this said, Peter makes his way back to his own home. Jesus is still teaching when Peter enters.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:15-20).
Peter’s jaw nearly hits the floor. This is exactly what is going on in his life right now. “Of course, Jesus knows my struggles” Peter thinks to himself. “And He is telling me how to handle it.”
Peter waits until the group begins to break up for the night before approaching Jesus.
“Teacher, I have a brother who has sinned against me. I have just returned from speaking with him regarding this sin. He refused to hear me. Matters became even worse as we spoke.”
Jesus quietly listens to Peter’s concern. He nods His head in the appropriate places, but says nothing more.
“From what I heard You say, I need to take one or two witnesses with me and speak to him again.”
“That is the next step” Jesus agrees.
Peter thinks over who he should bring with him. Andrew and James were present when the agreement was struck. He decides to bring them to the home of Samuel. But there is something Peter needs to know first. IF Samuel does repent, does Peter have to forgive him? He has wronged Peter’s wife for months, without bringing ANY of his concerns to Peter.
“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).
Jesus looks Peter directly in the eye. “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22).
Peter’s jaw drops. Before he can go any further, Jesus begins telling a parable.
Hearing Jesus’ tone of voice, indicating He is about to say something very important; the disciples return from where they had moved to in the house.
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant[j] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:23-35).
Peter’s heart burns within him. He knows that, IF Samuel repents, he HAS to forgive him. “I guess it’s time for the next step” Peter says to himself.
Jesus gives Peter a knowing nod. Peter nods back. As the group breaks up again, Peter approaches his brother Andrew, and James; another former partner in the fishing business.
“I need to speak with you both, in private.”
The three men leave the house and stand under a nearby tree.
Peter is taking his time, organizing his thoughts. A very UN-Peter like thing for him to do. Andrew is tired of waiting. “Out with it brother!”
Peter takes a deep breath, then tells Andrew and James about the conversation he had with Samuel earlier tonight. Both men are astonished! Samuel is a very good friend.
“Are you certain you didn’t misunderstand” asks Andrew.
“I don’t believe so. But, when I came back home, Jesus was speaking about a ‘brother’ sinning against you and how to handle it. I KNOW He meant this for me. Will you be my witnesses? I need to confront Samuel again.”
Both men nod.
“Good. We will leave at first light” Peter says.
“What if he goes night fishing before we arrive and isn’t home” asks James. “Shouldn’t we go now, so we don’t miss him?”
“I understand your fear. You are probably right. Let’s go now.”
The three men set off to Samuel’s house. Peter is again, working hard to keep his natural tendency to speak out in check. As they approach Samuel’s home, they spy him leaving with fishing tackle. He is going night fishing and they have arrived just in time.
“Samuel, we need to talk” Peter says as they approach.
“I have nothing more to say to you.”
“But we have need of hearing the matter ourselves, from your own mouth” James says. He is purposefully blocking Samuel’s path to the water, without appearing to be doing it.
“I have said all I needed to say to Simon” Samuel says while jutting out his chin.
“And what did you say to Simon” asks Andrew.
“That I have paid in full for the boat and it is mine now.”
“Samuel” Andrew says with shock. “At the time the agreement was struck, did you not agree to lease, or rent, the boat from Simon?”
“I did. But that was more than two years ago. I have paid in full for the boat” Samuel contends.
“So, if I ‘rent’ you my house, and you feel you have paid enough rent, you can keep it as your own” asks James.
“No. That’s different. This is a boat, not a piece of property.”
“It is property” says Peter. “It is my property. My livelihood and my business.”
“Which you abandoned! I claim it as my own!” Samuel pushes past James and continues his walk down to the seashore.
The three disciples watch him go in confusion.
“What are we supposed to do now” Peter asks as he clenches and unclenches his fists. He knows what he wants to do, but he also knows that this is NOT something Jesus would want him to do.
“We need to talk to Jesus” Andrew replies. “He will know what to do.”
The three men return to Peter’s home. As they walk, Peter begins to commiserate. “It’s not the boat so much that I mind. It’s the fact that this was the way I was providing for my wife while we follow the Lord. I can buy another boat, but I cannot allow my wife to go hungry.”
“Jesus called us to be ‘fishers of men’, so maybe we aren’t supposed to go fishing anymore. But what Samuel has done is a sin. Plain and simple. He stole the boat. IF he would have made arrangements to BUY it, this would be a completely different story. But we all heard the initial agreement AND what he says now. Jesus needs to hear about this.”
Peter wonders. He suspects that Jesus already knows; hence, the lesson earlier.
Jesus is waiting on the doorstep when they arrive. “From the look on your faces, I don’t believe your meeting went well” Jesus says.
“It did not go well at all, Teacher” Peter says.
“Then we will have to speak to him once more. I will go with you this time. And we will bring Zebedee. He is the elder in your fishing business” Jesus says. “For tonight, don’t fret over it. All will be well in the morning.”
Peter feels much better hearing these words from Jesus. “Thank You Master.”
Jesus pats Peter on the shoulder as He goes to find a place to rest under a tree. Peter goes into his home where his wife waits. She looks up expectantly when he enters.
“There is much to talk about, but Jesus assures me that all will be well in the morning. Let’s wait until then to discuss what happened.”
“As you wish, my husband” she says with a smile that doesn’t quite dim the curiosity shining out of her eyes.
When morning comes, Jesus is standing on the doorstep as Peter opens it to step out. Peter jumps back. He was not expecting someone to be standing there. Jesus chuckles. Peter smiles and shakes his head.
“Are you ready” Jesus asks Peter.
“I was coming to find You and ask You the same question.”
“Then, let’s go and find Zebedee.”
Zebedee is down by the shore, watching the fishermen. He looks back as he hears Peter’s voice.
“Peter! Jesus! Have you come to join us today? It looks like good weather for fishing.”
“Not exactly. We need your help in a matter” Jesus says.
“Jesus needs MY help” Zebedee says in great surprise.
“In this particular matter, yes. We are going to confront Samuel. He has taken it into his head that he now owns Peter’s boat.”
“Say again?”
“He claims that he has paid enough rent to buy the boat and now claims it as his own” answers Peter.
Zebedee’s face goes red. “That was NOT the agreement.”
“I know. He will not hear me. Nor did he heed Andrew and James when the three of us came to him. Now I will face him one more time; with you and Jesus at my side.”
“I will certainly stand with you. I know of the agreement that was struck.”
Jesus puts a hand on each of the men’s shoulders. “And if he refuses to listen to us, he is to be treated as a gentile or a tax gatherer. We will not associate with him in any way.”
“Agreed” says Zebedee. “And I will make certain that none of the other fishermen do either.”
Jesus, Zebedee, and Peter set off to where Zebedee knows Samuel is fishing. Samuel sees them as they approach. He sets the nets down in the boat and prepares to shove off. Jesus steps forward and puts a hand on Samuel’s shoulder.
“We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to talk to You about.”
“I believe you have something that doesn’t belong to you. You need to return Simon’s boat and pay him the agreed upon payments” Jesus says.
“I have already paid more than what the boat is worth. I claim it as my own” Samuel says as he puffs his chest out.
“Is this your final word on the subject” Zebedee asks.
“It is.”
“Then none of the fishermen will work with you and I will make certain that no one buys your catch” Zebedee replies.
“You can’t do that!”
“I can, and I will. Unless you return what you have stolen.”
“I have stolen NOTHING” Samuel says as he pushes the boat out into the sea.
Peter stands there watching Jesus and Zebedee. “Master…”
Jesus holds up His hand. “Wait patiently. Vengeance is mine says the Lord. I will repay.”
As Samuel moves into deeper water, a cracking sound is heard. The boat splits in two, right down the middle. Samuel is scrambling to keep from being caught up in the nets and drown. Peter sees him losing the struggle. He throws his cloak aside and jumps into the water. He reaches Samuel as he struggles to untangle himself.
“Stop thrashing” Peter yells. “It only gets you more tangled up. Tread water, and I will free you.”
It takes Peter calling to him twice before Samuel gives in and does as he is told. Peter pulls his knife from his belt and expertly splits the net until he reaches Samuel. Once Samuel is free, the two swim back to shore.
The boat and nets are ruined. Samuel has nothing. He turns on Peter. “You did that on purpose! You KNEW that boat wasn’t sea worthy and you stuck me with it anyway!”
Before Peter can reply, Jesus steps between them. “The boat YOU lost was never yours to begin with. It served you well for over two years. If it was not sea worthy it would have sank long ago. YOU have been judged and found guilty by God. Go your way before more penance is exacted.”
After Samuel leaves, Peter looks out at what is left of his ruined boat and nets. His heart sinks. “How will I provide for my family now?”
“I will see that they are provided for” Jesus answers. “Have you ever gone without food? Do you believe that I am able to do the same for your wife and mother-in-law?”
Peter bows his head. “I do Lord.”
Jesus turns to Zebedee. “Your catches will be plentiful each day. Enough for Peter’s family as well as your own.”
“I will make certain Peter’s family does not go wanting.”
“Lord, when You said everything would be alright today, this is NOT what I expected. I have no boat to return to.”
“You won’t need it. As I told you before, I will make you a fisher of men.”
Jesus and Peter leave the sea. Peter knows that his wife will be cared for in his absence, and that Jesus has a plan for his life outside of his wildest dreams. He doesn’t know what it is, but he is willing to find out.
(to be continued)
Something interesting to me in Jesus’ words about a brother sinning against you is that He said to take the “elders of the church” with you if the brother still won’t listen. The church didn’t come into being until after His resurrection. This was a prophetic statement.
I always thought it was Paul who made this statement. Even though I KNOW I have to have read it before, I was surprised to see it come from Jesus’ mouth. It is one of the foundational teachings that His disciples would be able to point back to and cite His thoughts on the matter.
There is another section of scripture where Jesus talks about forgiving others before coming to His table. This is found in Matthew 5. That passage has been used to tell us that we have to forgive someone, even if they never ask for forgiveness. I cannot speak definitively to this, but what I have come to understand today is that we are to try and reconcile with our brothers, but only if they stop the sin they are doing against us or repent. If they do not, we are not to associate with them until they make the change. But neither are we to hold anger and bitterness towards them.
Anger and bitterness over the acts of another puts us in bondage. We dwell on it instead of moving past it. We cannot worship our Lord fully with anger and resentment in our hearts. We have to surrender it to Him, and let HIM be the judge. If vengeance is to be exacted, it is the Lord who will do it.
I was also just thinking about the court system. Jesus wants us to be able to resolve our differences WITHIN THE FAMILY without needing to resort to the world’s system. But to those who are now considered a “gentile or a tax collector”, the legal system may offer remedy. But I would exercise caution in seeking man’s justice. I have had times I wanted to ‘sue’ someone for offenses against me, but have refrained. After doing all I could to solve the matter, I had to leave it in God’s hands. Not even the courts could offer solutions. Only He can.
But, if you do go to court, do NOT go in looking to ‘get even’ or ‘smash’ the other guy. Go in seeking justice. Let God lead that justice. Trust that, even if things don’t go in your favor, God can still work something good from it. Remember that you too have received mercy, when we deserved none.
Father God, help me show mercy to those who need it. Show me how to love even my ‘enemy’. I want NOTHING to stand between us! And thank You Holy Spirit for giving me this story. I had no idea how to share this one. And when I asked, YOU delivered the idea for me.
