Continuing our study of ways to love our neighbor, we land on a trusted solution to major conflict.  Issues arise, problems fester and soon, brick walls replace wooden fences.  Communication is completely severed.  Truth is, most of the time, neither neighbor can even remember what caused the problem in the first place.  The longer the “com line” is blocked, the bigger the issue grows until reconciliation seems no longer possible. 

Conflict resolution makes progress when the key to repairs is made available.  I believe that key is called “forgiveness.”  If your neighbor IS a believer in Jesus, conflict should NEVER get so far out of hand that communication is shut down.  We should take the initiative to go to the person and open the door for restoration. If your neighbor is NOT a believer, then your reaction to the situation either reflects Christ or it brings shame to The Name.  Your reaction could make or break future ability for positive witness. 

From the center cross on Calvary, Jesus was asking His Father to forgive the nail and hammer bearers and the thorny crown plaiters and the leather scourge handlers.  He went into the Garden of Gethsemane after supper the previous evening with the foreknowledge of His imminent arrest, His illegal trial, His incomprehensible crucifixion. When the Roman Centurion saw “how” Jesus died, he knew this was an amazing person.  Who would even be interested in forgiveness of persecutors at a time like that!?!?  Jesus.  We are to be like Jesus.  We are to live as that kind of neighbor. 

Our scripture passage for this week features Jesus dealing with our dear old disciple, Simon (foot in mouth disease) Peter.  Truth be told, we have lots in common with Pete.  We think before we speak and get into business that is not ours to tend to whatsoever.  AND we manage to arrive with a low dose of humility and a high slice of pride.  He asked Jesus what to do when his brother sins against him.  He couldn’t visualize that he would ever be the dreaded offender.  Personal pedestal occupancy precludes individual responsibility.

The first century Jewish rabbis pronounced that three times would be enough forgiveness.  Peter thought surely seven times would be way over the required forgiveness “limit.” The math of Jesus always astounded people.  Five loaves and two fish and 5000 men to feed, not counting women and hungry kiddos made no sense.  Whether it was seventy times seven and/or seventy times seven times (Bible translators are divided on the exact wording there), either number blitzes the paltry math of Peter.  He needed to stick to fishing.  Jesus didn’t stutter.  He blew Peter out of the water with His answer.  Pete was trying to be generous.  Jesus was being specific. 

While Peter was still standing there stunned and trying to do multiplication in his head, Jesus, the Master Story Teller pressed the forgiveness point with a story.  A certain king determined to settle the accounts owed to him.  One fellow came with a completely UN-payable debt.  He was about to lose his wife, kids and home.  He begged for forgiveness.  The king, with great compassion, FORGAVE the debt completely, stamped it “paid in full.” 

That forgiven man found one who owed him a mere 100 days wage.  Instead of sharing his story of debt forgiveness, he demanded repayment immediately.  He physically threatened the debtor and threw him in prison till the debt was paid.  Fellow workers heard the story and reported it to the forgiving king.  He made sure the forgiven man was tortured until the formerly owed debt was paid.

Do not equate this story to “salvation”  forgiveness at that practical, teachable  moment in time.  Peter got the point, I’m sure! However, Jesus could see the shadow of the cross looming before Him.  He knew that one day, Pete and the boys would look back on this specific day in the life of a growing disciple and remember the gravity of the personal sin debt they owed.  In light of Calvary, our forgiveness of one another certainly pales in comparison.  As light in the darkness, we are the “Forgiven Forgivers.” God is FOR giving and so should we be…