Nougat 23

Today’s Holy Nougat might be a hard chew for some. Please prayerfully ponder our response.

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Master, how often shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”” Matthew‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭TLV‬‬

It could have been a debate that he wanted Jesus to solve. And, if so, he was well within reason in seeking The Authority on Forgiveness to confirm its boundaries.

However, in looking at Peter’s words, we can arrive at the main conclusion that I had drawn. I have posited that someone got on Peter’s last nerve. Again. He was tired of turning the other cheek and wanted (tacit) permission to set his offender right. {Of course this is speculation and conjecture – you are welcome to dismiss or craft your own}

Whatever the reason behind the question, it was asked, and answered; and recorded for our own growth. Clearly, it is worth noting for our own lives. So here goes –

Is there any person who has found our Last Nerve and seems to have taken residence? How do we as believers treat with such?

This may be when Peter’s question is consoling as it assures us we are not alone in having questions about those who hurt us. I would even go as far as to propose that it invites an honest acknowledgement of our humanity. For, Peter’s words indicate that in our own strength, there is a limit to what we can tolerate. And it is important that we have a sense of our limits; for when we get to the end of our limits, we are open to having Jesus take over.

There’s also another consideration to Peter’s question … he might have been seeking forgiveness (remember Peter was very impetuous), and it seemed to be far from forthcoming. For, there are times when we are the ones in the doghouse and in need of grace and mercy from others. And in those moments we might find ourselves asking, Lord is there a statue of limitations on forgiveness? If we are honest, most of us would prefer that there’s none. For, whether we are open to actively asking for forgiveness, or assuming it is granted; most of us would hope that our sins against others are forgiven automatically. If we are counted amongst those people, we ought to be willing (and able) to forgive others.

So, without peeking at Jesus’ answer; how do we Honestly respond to the question Peter posited? May our Faith and our consciences be our guide, Lord.

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May all we seek be found in Christ