February 27, 2023 — Seventy Times Seven

Note to readers: The following devotion is a re-do of one posted some time ago. It has been redone because it’s based on a true story. The friend who made and gave a wooden “70 X 7” plaque got on the train to glory three days ago. He’s now in God’s presence. This appears in honor of him.

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“This morning,” Stan began, “I want to tell you about a special neighbor who did something really nice for me.”

“Sounds good to me,” I replied. “What’s going on?”

“For a long time,” he said, “for at least a few years, I had a piece of paper pinned to the wall above my desk.  On it I had written the numbers ’70 X 7’ to remind me what Jesus said about forgiveness.”

“Forgiveness?” I replied. “In what way?”

“Jesus said that’s how much I’m supposed to forgive another person.”

“You’re supposed to forgive someone 490 times?” I responded.

“No,” Stan replied with a smile. “Not 490 times. It seems to mean without limitation. There’s to be no limit on how much I forgive.”

Continuing, he added, ”One of my neighbors is real handy with woodworking.  He and I were in my den a couple of weeks ago talking about a Bible study he’s thinking of putting together for the neighborhood.”

“A Bible study on forgiveness?” I asked.

“Forgiveness will probably be a part of it,” Stan replied, “along with a lot of other important things. That’s not been decided yet.”

“Last night,” he continued, “that neighbor came by and gave me the most beautiful wooden plaque he had made.  He used his jigsaw to cut out ’70 X 7.’  I don’t know what kind of wood he used, but he finished it beautifully.”

“Wow,” I replied. “That was certainly nice of him.”

“You’re right about that,” Stan said. “When my neighbor gave me the wooden plaque he had made, he said he thought it would be more permanent than the piece of paper he had seen stuck to my wall.”

“A permanent reminder that your forgiveness is to be without limit,” I commented.

“Certainly that,” Stan replied, “plus a permanent reminder of a very special neighbor, good friend, and brother in Christ!”

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Bible verses to consider:

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.

Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive him. Luke 17:3-4.

But Jesus was saying, “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for your model of forgiveness. Thank you for giving your only begotten Son to pay the price for my sin and separation from you so I can be forgiven through my acceptance of His finished work on the cross.  I confess that too often I do not forgive others in the way you intend. Please forgive my lack of forgiveness. Help me in following every step of your lead so I do, in fact, forgive without limitation, just as you do.  Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of forgiveness so you know you will spend eternity in His presence? If no, why do you want to remain separated from God and His forgiveness? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with the model of forgiveness? If you sense the need for change, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?