NOTE:  In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Peter ask Jesus the poignant question, “Lord, if a brother sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” And Jesus gave him an even more poignant answer, saying “Not only seven times [must you forgive him], but seventy times seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22) … In Biblical manuscripts, numbers were most often used purposefully, for in Biblical times, numbers had well-known deeper meanings.  In the case at hand, “seven” was a number commonly understood to represent spiritual perfection — or total fullness — or completeness.  As such, Peter was not asking Jesus if he was to forgive his brother seven actual times, but rather whether he was required to forgive his brother COMPLETELY for the trespasses done against him. And Jesus response was a radical one indeed — even by today’s standards. For not only did he affirm that we are indeed to FULLY Forgive our brothers & sisters & friends when they harm us, but that we are to Forgive EVERYONE with that same fullness. For “seventy” in his answer to Peter refers to the seventy tribes of humanity mentioned in Genesis 10 — in essence; to every single person on Earth … Amen — Let it be so.

Filed under: A few favorite Religionators by Scaughdt