Peter asked Jesus how often he ought to forgive his brother, but he answered his own question by suggesting that he should forgive seven times. According to Rabbinio tradition a man must forgive his brother three times. So Peter thought he was going very far by suggesting seven times with eager self-satisfaction that it would be enough. But Jesus’ answer is that the Christian must forgive seventy times seven, that, in fact, there is no reasonable limit to forgiveness. And so Jesus stressed that Christians should learn how to forgive. They should extend to others the divine forgiveness which they have experienced, a forgiveness which passes all understanding.
Concerning the three persons involved in this parable, a lesson which runs through all the New Testament is that ‘a man must forgive in order to be forgiven. He who will not forgive his fellowmen can’t hope that God will forgive him. Divine and human forgiveness must go hand in hand. We have been forgiven a debt which is beyond all paying for the sin of man brought the death of God’s own son, therefore we must forgive others as God has forgiven us or we can hope to find no mercy. Jesus exhorts us to forgive not only in words but from the heart.
When we read this passage, we recall the ‘law of tallion’ in the book of the Covenant and the cries for vengeance found in the Psalms. The code of vengeance and retribution is ‘eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stroke for stroke Ex.21,24. In the primitive society where each man took the law into his own hands these norms were given to prevent excessive revenge. The punishment was to be equal to the damage, not more. In this law one finds not an ideal to be attained but a minimum justice beyond which no man could go.
Ecclesiasticus’ doctrine is a great refinement on that of Exodus, not only considering external manifestations of vengeance but going beyond feelings and sentiments. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you.’ This exhortation is more demanding. We Christians, who claim to follow and imitate Christ, are absolutely dependent on the mercy and forgiveness of God to obtain salvation. Therefore we must not only avoid revenge but actually forgive those who have wronged us. By this, our sins will be forgiven by God the Father, in return.
The author of Ecclesiasticus stresses that forgiveness is a hard lesson, still yet we must be merciful to our neighbours because life is too short to hold a grudge and we must be faithful to the great commandment to love God above all else, for one cannot love God and at the same time hate his neighbour.
St. Paul stresses that it is impossible for man’ to live, an isolated life. The image Paul uses is ‘THE BODY OF CHRIST! – (the life that they share one with the other is Christ’s). Man cannot isolate himself from the past, present and the future. Men are not only linked to one another, they are linked together to Christ and through Him to God. Each man understands Christ’s message differently. Hence, there is no reason for one Christian to criticize another, to reprimand him for what he is doing in good faith. It is only to God that each of us must give an account of himself v.9. In this life, Christ is a living presence. Christ sees us. All life is lived in His eye. A man can’t escape from the risen, ever-present Christ, no place to leave Christ behind and nothing done which is unseen. Death never breaks the presence. In this world we live in the unseen presence of Christ but in heaven we shall see Him as He really is. Hence, death is a gateway that leads to Christ.
No human being can follow a policy of isolation. He is bound to his fellow men and to Christ, by ties that neither time nor eternity can break. He dare not live to himself and he can’t die to himself. Hence deep meditation on Rom.14 will help us to acquire that mutual respect that should mark Christ’s followers.
Kefa W. MHM
What you’ll find here is my personal reflection on Scripture. I don’t claim to have all the answers, only a sincere desire to seek truth. Some of the references used are drawn from past study and experience, and I may no longer be able to recall all their exact sources. Feel free to leave your comments or personal reflections below as we continue to grow deeper together in the Word of God. I’ll see you next Sunday.
