WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:09.660 So we're continuing our study of the Lord's Prayer this week, which is a prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, and then through them, we've received this prayer. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:14.759 And the reason that Jesus teaches us this prayer is not just to teach us how to pray, although it's helpful for that. 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:17.320 It's really to teach us how to live. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:27.000 It's to show us how to live in this world, and to have a relationship with the God who made this world, and to belong to Him as children belong to a Father. 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:38.519 And so that's what we've been looking at, and normally I like to take a couple of minutes at the beginning of a sermon and show the relevance for any particular passage and why people should care about understanding it. 00:00:38.539 --> 00:00:46.879 But I don't really think I need to do that this week, because we come to the petition that I consider to be the most challenging one of all, which is the petition, 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:51.840 Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:01:01.520 And I don't know a single person who doesn't have some area of their life, some relationship, where forgiveness is necessary. 00:01:02.020 --> 00:01:04.000 For some of us, it may be a parent. 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:08.359 For some of us, it may be somebody from our childhood, or a teacher, or a coach. 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:12.480 Maybe it's somebody from your job, like a boss, or a co-worker. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:15.780 Maybe it's a friend, or a roommate, or a spouse. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:16.780 Maybe it's a friend, or a spouse, or a spouse, or a spouse, or a spouse. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:22.680 Whatever the case may be, I don't know a single person who doesn't have some area where forgiveness is needed. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:27.980 And if we're really honest, I think most of us not only have areas where we need to extend forgiveness, 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:31.640 but we also have things about our lives that require forgiveness. 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:34.960 And so I think this is relevant for every single one of us. 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:38.980 And so to understand more about this petition and about forgiveness, 00:01:38.980 --> 00:01:45.640 we're going to look at one of the central go-to passages on forgiveness, which is Matthew chapter 18, 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:50.620 and this encounter between Peter and Jesus, and the parable that Jesus tells. 00:01:50.980 --> 00:01:53.020 And we're going to see two things about forgiveness. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:55.820 We're going to see, first, why we need it. 00:01:56.800 --> 00:01:57.740 Why we need it. 00:01:57.760 --> 00:01:59.560 And then, second, we're going to see how to do it. 00:02:00.080 --> 00:02:02.180 So let's pray, and then we'll open God's Word together. 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:07.159 Lord, we thank You for Your Word. 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:12.419 And we thank You for Your promise and Your ability to do Your work through Your Word. 00:02:12.900 --> 00:02:17.979 And Lord, we all, when it comes to something like this, we all need You to do Your work in our hearts. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:20.759 And so I pray that You would do that through Your Word. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:24.479 And I pray that this would not only happen for our betterment, for our good, 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:26.879 but ultimately for Your glory. 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:30.500 And it's for Your glory, and in the name of Your Son, that we pray. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:31.340 Amen. 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:35.560 So first of all, why do we need forgiveness? 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:38.900 Why does the world need forgiveness? 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:44.960 In verse 21 and 22 of this passage, Peter comes to Jesus with a question. 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:50.500 And this is in the middle of a place in Matthew where Jesus has been teaching about kingdom people, 00:02:50.860 --> 00:02:55.659 about the new community of the kingdom of God and how it's turning the world upside down. 00:02:55.740 --> 00:02:59.599 And so He's been teaching about what life looks like in this community 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:01.640 and how it's different from the surrounding world. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:07.219 And He's been talking about forgiveness and restoration in the community. 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:10.219 And so Peter comes up to Jesus and he says, 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:15.000 Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? 00:03:15.299 --> 00:03:16.839 As many as seven times? 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:20.159 And what you need to understand is in the rabbinic tradition, 00:03:20.339 --> 00:03:24.719 the traditional understanding was that you could forgive somebody up to three times, 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:26.619 and that was evidence of a generous heart. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:29.900 But if you continued forgiving people, they might take advantage of you, 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:34.200 and it might be indicative of the fact that they weren't really sorry to begin with. 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:37.840 And so for Peter to say seven times is extravagant. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:38.700 It's over the top. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:42.599 So of course, Jesus' response surprises him. 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:43.500 Jesus says, 00:03:43.860 --> 00:03:48.080 I do not say to you seven times, but 77 times. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:52.900 Now, this translation that I'm using, the ESV, says 77. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:56.400 Your translation at home may say 70 times 7, 00:03:56.660 --> 00:04:00.020 and that's because the same Greek phrase can be translated either way. 00:04:00.160 --> 00:04:01.340 So both are correct. 00:04:01.540 --> 00:04:04.260 But the point is the same regardless of your translation. 00:04:04.720 --> 00:04:07.500 Jesus is saying, on one level, the number doesn't matter. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.620 Forgive as often as it takes. 00:04:11.720 --> 00:04:13.420 Now that alone is worth noting. 00:04:13.419 --> 00:04:17.939 But there's a lot more going on here behind Jesus' words. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:23.019 The Greek phrase that we translate either 77 or 70 times 7 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:29.120 also shows up in the Greek version of the Old Testament in Genesis chapter 4. 00:04:29.479 --> 00:04:31.479 Now, if you know anything about Genesis chapter 4, 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:35.139 this is the kind of origin story of human civilization. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:39.240 This is where we began to see the trajectory, 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:41.680 the way things are going to play out 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:45.860 now that the relationship between God and human beings has been broken. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.519 And we meet a man named Lamech, 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:55.639 who, by the way, is the first in Scripture to decide to take two wives instead of just one. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:57.840 And that's a separate sermon, but it's worth noting. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:00.480 And then Lamech says this to his wives. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:00.899 He says, 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:03.899 You wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:06.620 I've killed a man for wounding me, 00:05:06.960 --> 00:05:08.920 a young man for striking me. 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:11.960 And it seems as though he's been in some kind of altercation, 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:14.800 and because of some either physical slap or insult, 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:17.100 he has responded by killing this man. 00:05:17.340 --> 00:05:18.699 And then he goes on to say this. 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:20.360 This is kind of a vow that he makes. 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:22.900 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, 00:05:23.140 --> 00:05:25.700 then Lamech's is 77-fold. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:28.020 The same phrase. 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:33.759 This is the beginning of the way of retribution. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:38.719 This is the beginning of a cycle of retribution 00:05:38.719 --> 00:05:44.219 that is going to spread and multiply and cover the face of the earth. 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:49.939 This is where retribution gets written into the DNA of the world. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:06:00.459 And so this is the origin of tribalism and animosity and division and resentment and revenge. 00:06:01.219 --> 00:06:04.120 This is the origin of eye for an eye justice. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:08.360 This is where we begin to see the seeds of karma, karmic justice, 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:12.800 where they begin to root down into human society. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:16.579 And so history is filled with cycles of retribution 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:20.060 that play out endlessly, generation after generation. 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:23.520 We see tribes killing other tribes. 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:25.660 We see cycles of revenge killings 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:31.100 that in some parts of the world have resulted in the near extinction of entire people groups. 00:06:31.460 --> 00:06:34.759 We see nations warring against nations. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:38.819 And even when wars end and peace treaties are signed, 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:43.399 often those peace treaties are based on the guilt of one offending party. 00:06:43.599 --> 00:06:47.399 And so that accusation of guilt then plants seeds of resentment 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:50.379 that then lay the groundwork for future wars. 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:52.500 And this is much of our history. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:55.659 But this can also happen not just at a national level, 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:58.819 but of course it can happen in our interpersonal relationships. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:03.480 It can happen between friends and in marriages and in families 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:06.159 and between roommates, between siblings. 00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:11.900 People can have experiences of being insulted or feeling slighted 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:14.100 or feeling disregarded or feeling hurt, 00:07:14.460 --> 00:07:16.140 and then those turn into grudges, 00:07:16.320 --> 00:07:18.040 and then we nurse those grudges, 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:23.020 and then those grudges are transformed into seething cauldrons of resentment. 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:26.760 There are many marriages out there that seem peaceful, 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:29.240 but that peace is more like a ceasefire. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:32.620 It's a thin veneer of peace, 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:37.680 a kind of thin crust that is sitting on top of a deep pool of magma, 00:07:37.960 --> 00:07:39.199 just waiting to erupt. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:42.740 You know, in the HBO show Big Little Lies, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:44.319 one of the main characters is Madeline. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:46.759 And one of my favorite quotes from her is she says, 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:48.100 I love my grudges. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.840 I tend to them like little pets. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:52.579 And you know, I think it's funny partly because of her character, 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:54.600 but also partly because many of us are like that. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:58.019 We sort of love to nurse our grudges and tend to them. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:01.339 There's something that feels kind of good and satisfying about that. 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:05.000 But what this means is that these grudges, 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:08.740 this sort of sin, this guilt, this blame, this revenge, 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.139 it compounds upon itself. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:14.379 It builds one generation to the next. 00:08:15.479 --> 00:08:16.959 And so this little snowball 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:23.680 that begins with Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel and Lamech, 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:27.479 this little snowball turns into an avalanche. 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:30.900 And this great avalanche of retribution and guilt 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:33.500 is now crashing down through history, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.759 doing damage to everything it touches. 00:08:36.300 --> 00:08:39.539 And this avalanche and this cycle of retribution 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:41.259 and the guilt and the brokenness, 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.759 this means that our society is deeply divided. 00:08:44.920 --> 00:08:48.060 There are deep cracks and fissures in our society. 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:51.460 One of the prime examples of this for our society 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:52.700 is the example of race. 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:57.759 Just this week, new footage of Ahmaud Arbery's murder 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:58.900 was released. 00:08:59.020 --> 00:09:01.100 And what we see is that there was a struggle 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:04.080 that ensued after two white men 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:07.180 identified Arbery running down the street. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.060 He was out for a jog. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:09.120 And they identified him 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:11.200 and thought he looked like a burglary suspect. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.320 And so they get in their truck, 00:09:12.400 --> 00:09:13.280 they chase him down. 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:15.000 And then in the struggle that ensues, 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:16.680 because those two white men are armed, 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:18.699 Ahmaud Arbery is shot and killed 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:19.679 and dies on the street. 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:22.819 And then we see a report that came out 00:09:22.819 --> 00:09:24.819 about DC and coronavirus this week, 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:28.399 where we learned that even though 47% 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:31.000 of people who test positive are black, 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:33.859 that 80% of the people who are dying 00:09:33.859 --> 00:09:35.839 from COVID-19 are black. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:42.300 Now, these realities are exposing 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:46.500 painful realities about our society. 00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:50.019 The vast difference between being white 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:52.399 and being black in our country. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.460 Truths like this emerge, 00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:57.220 and we can't ignore that there's a massive difference 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:00.420 between being white in America and being black. 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:02.979 It's like we have two countries. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:05.839 And there's this chasm that exists in our society, 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:08.419 these two alternate realities almost. 00:10:08.839 --> 00:10:11.319 And that chasm exists because of centuries 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:14.259 of systemic injustice and racism 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:16.539 and poverty and ignorance. 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:18.639 It's even been written into our policies. 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:20.199 But because of this, 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:24.439 the resentment and the anger that this causes 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:25.299 is justified. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:29.000 The desire for retribution is justified 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:31.860 because these are real realities. 00:10:32.059 --> 00:10:33.360 The injustice is real. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:36.519 And yet, all of this only serves 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.799 to deepen the divide. 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:40.840 The cracks are getting wider and deeper. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:43.179 So there's this massive avalanche 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:44.519 of retribution and guilt 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:46.639 that is crashing down through history. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:47.899 And listen to this. 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:49.279 Like any avalanche, 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:51.440 like any avalanche, 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:54.519 it has become such a tangled mass of destruction 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:56.259 that it's almost impossible 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:59.840 to clearly separate victim from perpetrator. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:00.700 Right? 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:01.700 In an avalanche, 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:03.639 trees that were uprooted, 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:06.919 that were torn out further upslope, 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:10.799 are transformed into weapons of destruction 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.220 further down the slope. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.159 And you see the same thing happening 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.620 with people in history. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.899 History shows us that today's victims 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:20.439 can become tomorrow's perpetrators. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:23.519 Shows us that today's liberators 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:26.000 can become tomorrow's tyrants. 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:28.000 And so we are all implicated. 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:29.740 No one is free from this. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.939 No one has the luxury 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:32.139 of stepping outside of it 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.399 and analyzing it 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:35.579 from a position of moral neutrality. 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:38.299 And this avalanche of retribution 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:39.240 will not stop 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:41.059 until it destroys everything 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.100 and everyone. 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:46.600 All from these words 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.960 that we hear Lamech utter 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:48.939 so long ago. 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:51.019 All from the sin 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.879 that entered the world 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.439 when our relationship with God 00:11:53.439 --> 00:11:54.000 was broken. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.259 Our only hope 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:59.120 is to interrupt the cycle. 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:00.259 Right? 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.299 Our only hope 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:03.340 is to stop the avalanche 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.159 and if we can, 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.500 to reverse it. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:07.899 So here's the point of all this. 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:10.279 When Jesus says to Peter, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.320 I do not say to you seven times, 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.879 but 77 times, 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.879 he is deliberately reversing 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:18.019 Lamech's words. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:20.200 He is deliberately reversing 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.440 the way of retribution. 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:23.400 The way of retribution says 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:24.120 vengeance. 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:26.460 Vengeance seven times over. 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:28.220 Vengeance 77 times over. 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:31.180 Vengeance 70 times seven times over. 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:32.280 As much as it takes 00:12:32.280 --> 00:12:33.520 until the world is destroyed. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.240 But Jesus is saying 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.100 there's another way. 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:39.500 This is the place 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.220 where he's teaching 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:41.400 about the kingdom of God. 00:12:41.640 --> 00:12:42.740 And the kingdom of God 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:45.080 is turning the world upside down. 00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:46.300 It is undoing 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.440 and reversing 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.320 the wrong 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:49.580 that has entered the world. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.600 It's a reversal 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.780 of what it means to be human. 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:52.740 It's turning everything 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.300 on its head. 00:12:53.900 --> 00:12:54.560 And Jesus says 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.480 there's another way. 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:57.140 There's a way to interrupt 00:12:57.140 --> 00:12:58.340 the cycle of retribution 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.460 and revenge 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:00.260 and guilt. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.160 It's the way of forgiveness. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:03.980 Right? 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.640 Forgive. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:07.060 Forgive seven times. 00:13:07.520 --> 00:13:08.900 Forgive 77 times. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:11.020 Forgive 70 times seven times. 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:12.520 Forgive as much as it takes 00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:13.780 until the world 00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:14.520 is made whole. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:18.419 So why 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:19.539 is forgiveness 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.220 important? 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.559 And why do we need it? 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.740 It's because forgiveness 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.720 is the way that God 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.819 is making this world 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:27.539 whole again. 00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:29.659 Forgiveness sits 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.659 at the very heart 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.740 of God's plan 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.919 to renew this world 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:33.840 and us. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.899 So that's why we need it. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:37.860 But how do we do it? 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.679 How do we do it? 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:42.599 In Matthew 18 00:13:42.599 --> 00:13:43.659 when Peter asks 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.779 this question of Jesus 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.839 about forgiveness 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:46.939 Jesus responds 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:48.079 by telling him a parable. 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.719 And in the parable 00:13:49.719 --> 00:13:50.819 a king is settling 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.479 his accounts 00:13:51.479 --> 00:13:52.719 and a man is brought 00:13:52.719 --> 00:13:53.620 to him who owes him 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.000 10,000 talents. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.799 And you need to understand 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.879 that this is an astronomical 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.019 ridiculous 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.879 ludicrous sum. 00:13:58.939 --> 00:13:59.479 It's like saying 00:13:59.479 --> 00:14:00.059 that he owes 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:00.979 hundreds of billions 00:14:00.979 --> 00:14:01.579 of dollars. 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:03.620 It's unimaginable sum. 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:05.039 And the man can't pay. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:05.959 And so the king 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:06.879 is going to respond 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.719 with retribution. 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:08.379 He's going to sell 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.340 this man and his family 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:09.879 into slavery 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.939 which was commonly 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.820 a way to punish debtors. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.960 It was an act of retribution. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.759 And this man begs for mercy. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:17.799 And he promises 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.639 to pay the debt back 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.639 but it's such a large sum 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.379 that that's impossible. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.679 But the king 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.080 has compassion on this man 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.419 and he shows him pity. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.899 And of all things 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.480 this king 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.939 cancels the debt 00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:30.419 which means the king 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.179 has to absorb 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:32.080 the cost himself. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:32.659 He has to absorb 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.419 the cost of hundreds 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.340 of billions of dollars 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.200 but he cancels 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.860 the debt entirely 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:37.259 and he releases this man 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.080 and lets him go free. 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.799 But then this man 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.279 goes out 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:40.919 the same servant 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:42.019 and he immediately 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.860 runs into a man 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.779 who owes him money. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.480 And this man owes him 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.580 a much smaller amount. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.919 It's a paltry sum. 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.519 It's worth about 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.799 three or four thousand dollars. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.559 But the servant 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.500 chokes this man 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.700 and he demands payment. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.840 And this man 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:56.039 says the same thing. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.039 He begs for mercy. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.379 Promises to pay it back. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.120 But the servant 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:00.360 refuses to show mercy 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.679 and he throws him in prison. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.419 And then the king 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:04.139 hears of this. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.480 He calls the servant back 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.420 and then he throws 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:07.500 the servant in jail 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.639 until he can pay 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.060 the debt in full. 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.960 So this shows us 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:12.639 a number of things 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.279 about forgiveness. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.120 And first of all 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.259 it simply shows us 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.519 what forgiveness is. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.539 What it looks like. 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.399 And in short 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.240 I would say this. 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:21.460 Forgiveness means 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.399 giving up 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.720 the right to retribution. 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.200 Forgiveness means 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:27.220 giving up 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.720 the right to retribution. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.720 Even if it's justified. 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:32.440 So it means 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:32.800 maybe 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.220 giving up your right 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.340 to expect repayment 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.500 of a debt. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.200 Could be financial repayment 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.440 like this parable 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:40.860 or in much 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.860 more commonly 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.740 I think this could 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.340 refer to 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.500 emotional repayment 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:46.000 in the form of revenge. 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.860 But forgiveness means 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:49.480 giving up that right 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.360 even if we're justified. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.840 The Greek word 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.580 literally means 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.879 to let someone go 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.840 which is exactly 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.759 what the king does 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.560 to this servant. 00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:59.459 And in order 00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.319 to forgive somebody 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:01.139 that requires 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:03.199 sort of three parts. 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.099 There are three parts 00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:04.699 to forgiveness 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.439 at least. 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.419 And we see these 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.239 play out in this parable. 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.139 The first thing 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.959 that you have to do is 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:11.119 if you're going to 00:16:11.119 --> 00:16:11.759 forgive somebody 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.779 you have to 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.719 name the debt. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.519 You have to 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.779 honestly and thoroughly 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.559 name the debt. 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.839 Now this could be 00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:20.979 a monetary amount 00:16:20.979 --> 00:16:21.839 like in the parable 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.819 10,000 talents. 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.559 But much more often 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.159 this means 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.319 naming the hurt 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:28.360 or naming the wrong. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.300 You have to name it. 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.220 It has to be stated 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.300 and acknowledged. 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:33.020 And this also means 00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:33.780 that we have to be able 00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:35.040 to honestly voice 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:36.020 our emotions 00:16:36.020 --> 00:16:37.780 and the pain 00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:39.180 that has been caused. 00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:40.879 So forgiving somebody 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.760 does not mean 00:16:41.760 --> 00:16:43.480 minimizing the wrong. 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.400 It doesn't mean 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.340 downplaying it. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.000 It doesn't mean 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.620 being conflict avoided 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:47.960 and saying 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.920 oh it's no big deal 00:16:48.920 --> 00:16:49.500 it doesn't matter. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.340 If you do that 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.500 you're laying 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.400 the groundwork 00:16:52.400 --> 00:16:53.100 for resentment 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.800 down the road. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.279 nor does forgiveness 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.379 mean that we 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:58.199 condone injustice 00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:59.319 or overlook 00:16:59.319 --> 00:16:59.979 the need 00:16:59.979 --> 00:17:00.779 for justice. 00:17:00.959 --> 00:17:02.240 We can forgive 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.299 somebody in our heart 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.119 but justice 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:04.779 may still need 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.240 to be done. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.220 Justice may still 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.000 need to be carried out 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.759 especially if somebody 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.539 has committed a crime. 00:17:10.659 --> 00:17:11.659 We can forgive 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:13.019 and still long 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.680 for justice. 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:14.980 And when it comes 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.740 to an issue like 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.819 race in our country 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.339 yes we need forgiveness 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.799 but we also need justice 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.180 and we should fight 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.740 for justice. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.079 And the two can coexist. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.460 Forgiveness and justice 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.319 can coexist. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.339 But the first part 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:27.759 of forgiveness 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.920 is simply naming 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.779 honestly the wrong 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.339 or the debt 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.140 that's been incurred. 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:34.099 The second thing 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.759 we need to do 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.259 is we need to decide 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.120 we need to choose 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.180 to cancel the debt. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.519 To cancel the debt. 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.400 Which means 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.660 we choose 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.480 to absorb 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.339 the loss 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.980 ourselves. 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:47.000 What this means 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.779 is you decide 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.380 in your heart 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.500 from now on 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.560 I am giving up 00:17:51.560 --> 00:17:52.160 my right 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:53.540 to demand repayment. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.720 I'm giving up 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.660 my desire 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.360 to seek revenge. 00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:58.940 I'm giving up 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.540 my desire 00:17:59.540 --> 00:18:00.940 to see harm 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.880 done to this person. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.240 I'm giving up 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.160 any tendency 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.720 I have 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.480 to wish ill 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.100 of this person 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.540 which means 00:18:06.540 --> 00:18:07.560 when those temptations 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:08.020 arise 00:18:08.020 --> 00:18:09.760 you don't give in to them. 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:10.840 You're giving 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:11.600 all of that up. 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:13.980 I release this person 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.680 from their debt. 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.300 I set this person 00:18:16.300 --> 00:18:17.200 free in my heart. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.180 Now this doesn't mean 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.880 automatically 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.860 that you reconcile 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.819 with that person. 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.420 Forgiveness is something 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.980 that you can do 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.480 on your own. 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:25.519 Reconciliation is a 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.140 two-way street. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.400 Reconciliation requires 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.140 both people 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:29.180 working to rebuild 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.519 trust in a relationship 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.400 and that can take 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:31.960 a long time 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.400 and sometimes 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.180 it's not possible. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.819 Nor does this mean 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.180 allowing someone 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.480 to continue hurting you. 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.799 If you're in a situation 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.100 where abuse is happening 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:42.900 or you're being 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:44.100 repeatedly harmed 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:44.799 and somebody is 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.640 repeatedly sinning 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.220 against you 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.140 it is possible 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.819 for you to forgive 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.319 that person 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.240 but also set 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.019 whatever boundaries 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.759 you need to set 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.160 in place 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.839 to make sure 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.259 that person 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.259 can't keep hurting you. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.920 But what matters 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.980 is that you 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:57.059 cancel the debt 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.600 in your heart. 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.140 And then the last thing 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.279 the last thing 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.779 that you once 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.140 you've made 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:02.660 that choice 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:04.120 is you commit 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:05.059 to forgiveness 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.880 for as long 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.480 as it takes. 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.360 You commit 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:08.900 to forgiveness 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.559 for as long 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.140 as it takes. 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.240 Seventy times 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:13.000 seven or more 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.920 if that's what 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.440 it takes. 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:16.080 because if you've 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:16.740 ever forgiven 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.299 anyone 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.900 for really 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.980 causing you harm 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.840 then you know 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:22.279 that it's not 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.080 a one time choice. 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.700 It's a choice 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.500 that you have to make 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.580 again and again 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:27.220 and again 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.160 because that hurt 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.259 and that pain 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.120 and that resentment 00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:31.259 will resurface 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.880 again and again 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.640 and again 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.519 and what this means 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.380 is that you choose 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:37.220 every single time 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.840 to cancel the debt. 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.340 You commit to it 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:41.000 as a posture. 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.059 I have pain 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:43.720 in my life. 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.299 I have ways 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.700 that I've been wronged 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.319 and I know 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.179 I know that pain 00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:47.759 is going to be there 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.720 for the rest of my life 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:50.279 and so what this means 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.960 for me is that 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:52.700 sometimes every single day 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.919 I have to wake up 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.940 and I have to choose 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.159 to forgive 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.200 once more. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.339 Committing yourself 00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.899 to forgiveness 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:01.279 means making that choice 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.839 even when you don't want to 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:04.559 and for this reason 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:06.460 forgiveness may be 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.639 one of the hardest things 00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.619 you ever have to do 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.119 in your life. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:11.879 For many of us 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.279 it is. 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.579 Which of course 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.439 begs the question 00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:15.399 why do it at all? 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.119 Why do it at all? 00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:19.159 You know 00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:20.439 much has been said 00:20:20.439 --> 00:20:21.819 mainly by Christians 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.559 about all of the 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.779 psychological benefits 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.719 of forgiveness 00:20:24.719 --> 00:20:25.559 and all of the 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.419 spiritual benefits 00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:26.919 of forgiveness 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:28.299 and how it sets us free 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.759 and you know 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.919 some of that's true 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:31.119 but in my experience 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:31.839 forgiveness is 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:34.139 often extremely painful 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:35.919 and I don't often 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:37.059 feel free 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.960 when I'm doing 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.720 the hard work 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.299 of forgiveness. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.440 It's interesting to note 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.240 that while some of that 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.519 is true 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.339 while there are many 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.379 benefits to forgiveness 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.599 it's interesting to note 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:47.079 that Jesus doesn't 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.359 say any of that 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:50.399 in Matthew chapter 18 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.579 nor does he mention 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.480 any of the benefits 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.019 of forgiveness 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.339 in the Lord's Prayer. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.659 According to Jesus 00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:58.579 the reason that Christians 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.220 forgive is simply this 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:02.839 we have been forgiven. 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:05.899 we've been forgiven. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.839 That's the reason. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.419 All of that avalanche 00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:11.779 of retribution 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.740 and blame 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.579 and pain 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.859 crashing down 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.579 through history 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.539 it all started 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.599 as this tremor 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.779 when our ancestors 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.679 turned their backs 00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.199 on God 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:22.379 but it has compounded 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.379 over the millennia 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.500 down to us 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.519 and we were born 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.079 into it. 00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:26.740 We were born 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.500 into the guilt. 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.159 We were born 00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:29.039 into the brokenness. 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.779 We were born 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.699 into the chaos. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:33.120 And the great moral debt 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:34.059 of that rebellion 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:36.539 and all of the damage 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.620 that this avalanche 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.100 has done 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:39.779 that sits on our shoulders 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:42.220 and by comparison 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.680 10,000 talents 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.740 is a paltry sum 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:46.660 and all of that 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.700 sits on our shoulders 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.920 and it crushes us 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.759 and the thing 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.559 that we need to understand 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.759 is God has every right 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.120 to demand retribution. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:57.380 God has every right 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.819 to demand retribution 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:01.079 and yet the core truth 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.599 of Scripture 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:03.019 running from Genesis 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.679 to Revelation 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:04.859 is that God 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:06.559 chooses to forgive. 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:09.439 He chooses to forgive 00:22:09.439 --> 00:22:11.639 which means 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.599 as we said before 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:14.059 that God chooses 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.879 to absorb that debt 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:17.000 into Himself 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.419 and that's exactly 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:19.639 what we see on the cross. 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:21.000 On the cross of Christ 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:23.399 we see that entire avalanche 00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.519 of human sin 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.279 and retribution 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.859 and guilt 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.579 and blame. 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:28.460 it all comes crashing down 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.419 on Jesus 00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:31.359 and Jesus takes 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.279 all of that 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.939 on Himself 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:34.099 and so the ultimate 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.879 consequences 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:36.559 of human evil 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.480 and rebellion 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:37.939 and sin 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:39.220 the ultimate consequences 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.500 fall on Him 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.819 instead of us. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.039 He takes our place. 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:46.179 Many religions 00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:48.159 many philosophies 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:51.240 extol the value 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.759 of forgiveness 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.500 and talk about 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.119 the importance 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:53.679 of forgiveness 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.980 in our society. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.840 Only Christianity 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.680 says that God 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.039 was willing to bear 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.259 the cost of forgiveness 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.820 in order to set 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.680 humanity free. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.420 Only Christianity 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.080 says that. 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.580 Which means 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:09.160 God stands ready 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:09.920 here and now 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:11.400 to extend that forgiveness 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.820 to anyone who asks. 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.820 No matter what you've done 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:16.440 no matter where you've come from 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.360 no matter what you've done 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.160 even today 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:20.560 God stands ready 00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:22.039 to extend that forgiveness 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.480 because He's absorbed the debt. 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.059 It's been paid in full. 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.779 And those who come to Him 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:31.240 and those who are set free 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.039 from that debt 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.059 they are given 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.079 a new life. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.659 They're given 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.920 a new way 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.920 of being human 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.599 in the world. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.740 They become free 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.920 women and men 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.960 and they have 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.920 an entirely new 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:44.359 range of possibilities 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.619 in front of them. 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.480 Which means 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.159 they are free 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:47.899 to break 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.639 the cycle 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.680 of retribution. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.620 They can choose 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.279 to forgive 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.960 instead 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.380 because they've been forgiven. 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.720 And that's really 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.860 the point of this parable. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.620 The point of this parable 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.480 is not 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:00.060 that God's forgiveness 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:01.160 is conditional 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.519 on our forgiveness 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.259 of other people. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.759 That would run against 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.519 the entire witness 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:05.940 of Scripture. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:08.200 The point of this parable 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.640 is that God's forgiveness 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:11.180 is what makes possible 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.820 our forgiveness 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:14.019 of other people 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.920 in our lives. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.060 It's what makes it possible. 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.620 The scholar N.T. Wright 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:19.539 puts it like this. 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:19.879 He says, 00:24:19.939 --> 00:24:20.099 you know, 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.139 forgiveness is a lot 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:21.859 like the air 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.739 in your lungs. 00:24:23.239 --> 00:24:24.319 There's only room 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.799 for you to inhale 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:27.059 the next lungful 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.959 when you've just 00:24:27.959 --> 00:24:29.000 breathed out 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.099 the previous one. 00:24:30.439 --> 00:24:30.879 And he says, 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:32.159 so if you hold it in, 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:33.519 if you hold the forgiveness in 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.500 and you refuse 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.019 to exhale it 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.439 into the life 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.479 of someone who needs it, 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.419 you won't be able 00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:40.359 to take any more 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.139 in yourself. 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:42.239 And if you do that, 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.439 if you hold it in, 00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:44.019 then you will 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.219 very quickly suffocate. 00:24:45.919 --> 00:24:46.299 And so he says, 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.159 no sooner do we 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:48.119 take God's forgiveness 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:49.039 into ourselves, 00:24:49.239 --> 00:24:50.879 then we exhale it, 00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:51.779 we breathe it out 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.299 into the life 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.939 of someone else 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.779 who needs it. 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.239 And you know, 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.839 that's honestly 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.779 been my experience. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.439 Every day, 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.819 making that painful 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.699 choice to forgive, 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:01.339 breathing in 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.000 God's forgiveness 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.539 of me 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.979 and then breathing 00:25:03.979 --> 00:25:04.459 it out 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:06.139 into someone's life 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.359 who needs it from me. 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.879 Breathing in 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.459 God's forgiveness 00:25:09.459 --> 00:25:10.799 and breathing it out 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.679 into the world. 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:13.359 And as we do that, 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.399 we are breathing 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.719 life into the world. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.899 We're breathing 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.920 hope into the world. 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.340 We're breathing 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:19.340 love into the world. 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.220 We're breathing 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.380 renewal into the world 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.900 one act of forgiveness 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.560 at a time. 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.100 Now there's one 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.240 final piece of this 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.960 that I want to emphasize. 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:32.400 That if you want 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.740 to be a kingdom person, 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.920 if you want to be 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.780 a part of making 00:25:35.780 --> 00:25:37.400 the world whole again, 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.280 if you want to be 00:25:38.280 --> 00:25:39.120 a part of breathing 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.860 life into the society 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.480 around you, 00:25:41.540 --> 00:25:42.800 one act of forgiveness 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.640 at a time, 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.340 if you want to break 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.539 this cycle of retribution, 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.139 this is not something 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:48.119 that you can do alone. 00:25:48.959 --> 00:25:49.819 It's not something 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.639 that you can do alone. 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.619 When you see 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.519 these extraordinary 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.879 acts of forgiveness, 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.279 I'm thinking of 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.899 the Amish 00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:58.319 at Nickel Mines 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.899 after a shooter 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:01.019 entered a schoolhouse 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.000 and killed 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.579 five young girls 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:05.179 before killing himself. 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:06.339 I'm thinking of 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:06.740 the people 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.480 of the Charleston 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.019 AME Church 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.039 that also experienced 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.619 a violent shooting 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.459 and the deaths 00:26:12.459 --> 00:26:13.539 of many of their loved ones. 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.639 I'm thinking about 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.859 times like this 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.440 when a horrible tragedy occurs, 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.119 when a random act 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:20.159 of violence occurs, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.579 and then the community 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.519 responds 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:24.139 with an almost 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.259 inexplicable 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.180 act of forgiveness. 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.680 In both cases, 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.319 the community 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:30.159 forgave the shooter, 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.519 forgave the families 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.019 of the shooter, 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:34.159 and in some cases 00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:35.299 surrounded the families 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.839 of the shooter. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.559 At the funeral 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.279 for the shooter 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:40.119 for the Amish 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.220 at Nickel Mines, 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.180 over half of the people 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.960 who were present 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.759 at his funeral 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:46.279 were from the Amish community. 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.220 And that response 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.180 is breathtaking 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.140 and beautiful 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:50.960 and amazing. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:53.160 And when interviewers 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.460 ask these people, 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.220 interviewers go in 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.480 and say, 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:56.680 how could you forgive? 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.000 How is something 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.840 like this possible? 00:26:59.080 --> 00:27:00.340 And in both cases, 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.500 the people interviewed 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.200 talked about 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.320 Matthew chapter 18. 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.180 And they talked 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.140 about the Lord's Prayer, 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.600 which is something 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.420 that they had prayed 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.380 so often 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.380 that it had simply 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.560 become a part of them. 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.680 It was hardwired 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.480 into their DNA. 00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:15.600 But the other point 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.020 I want to make 00:27:16.020 --> 00:27:16.440 is this. 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.820 In both cases, 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:19.080 these are people 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:20.120 who were rooted 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:21.140 and formed 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.320 in a culture 00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:23.060 of forgiveness. 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:24.800 A culture 00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:25.560 of forgiveness. 00:27:26.020 --> 00:27:27.360 They were in communities, 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.140 communities 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.180 of forgiveness. 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:31.800 You know, 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.940 three sociologists 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:34.280 actually wrote a book 00:27:34.280 --> 00:27:35.260 about the Amish 00:27:35.260 --> 00:27:36.020 at Nickel Mines 00:27:36.020 --> 00:27:36.380 called 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.340 Amish Grace. 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.639 And, you know, 00:27:38.679 --> 00:27:39.859 I heard Tim Keller 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.480 make this point 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.639 in a talk he made 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:43.339 gave to the House of Lords. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.199 But they wrote this book 00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:46.480 about the Amish 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.379 act of forgiveness 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.339 in Nickel Mines. 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.039 And they basically 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.859 say in that book 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:52.480 that this act 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.059 of forgiveness 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.259 was not the product 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:56.039 of American culture. 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.139 See, a lot of media 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:57.659 at the time, 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.179 a lot of people 00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:58.679 were saying, 00:27:58.679 --> 00:27:59.599 this is America 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.339 at our best. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.639 This is just shows 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.619 what America can do. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.779 We forgive the killer. 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:04.939 But they make the point 00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:05.559 this is not 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.539 an outgrowth 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.480 of American culture. 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.200 He says, 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.179 this is the product 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:10.339 of a subculture 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:12.099 that is deeply rooted 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.879 in the truth 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:14.679 that God suffered 00:28:14.679 --> 00:28:15.359 and died 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.200 in order to forgive 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.779 His people. 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.399 And the humility 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:21.639 and the self-denial 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:23.200 and the gentleness 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.259 and the kindness 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.500 and the love 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.799 that comes out 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.700 of that reality, 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.000 that that is what 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.059 produced this extraordinary 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.899 act of forgiveness. 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:31.740 You know, 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.200 the American culture 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.359 of consumerism 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.139 and expressive individualism, 00:28:36.199 --> 00:28:37.459 that doesn't produce 00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:39.019 people who forgive. 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.799 That doesn't form 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.500 people for that. 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.979 What it forms 00:28:41.979 --> 00:28:42.819 is people who are 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.779 full of outrage 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.899 and moral indignation 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:47.399 and accusation. 00:28:49.179 --> 00:28:50.099 So if you want 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.879 to become part 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.919 of this movement 00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.519 of grace, 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.779 if you want 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.039 to be a kingdom person 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.399 and end the cycle 00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:57.079 of retribution 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.859 and make the world whole, 00:28:59.979 --> 00:29:01.240 it starts 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.240 with your prayer life. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.880 It starts 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.620 with praying 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:06.120 the Lord's Prayer 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:07.120 and prayers like it 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.220 and praying it so much, 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.259 praying it so often 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.359 that it replaces 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.900 that DNA of retribution, 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.380 that it begins 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.920 to rewrite your DNA 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:15.339 so that forgiveness 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:16.240 becomes more 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.680 and more 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.120 and more 00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:18.279 a gut instinct. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.339 And then even 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.079 more than that, 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.759 it means finding 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.779 a church community 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:25.680 that is committed 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.359 to forgiveness 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.140 and reconciliation 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:29.040 and then diving 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:29.900 into that community 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.700 and becoming 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.740 such a part of it, 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:35.000 so deeply intertwined 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.600 in that community 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.840 that it forms you. 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.820 It forms your heart, 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.620 it forms your mind, 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:39.880 it forms your imagination, 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:41.300 and it forms your sense 00:29:41.300 --> 00:29:42.060 of what's possible. 00:29:43.520 --> 00:29:44.200 Let's pray. 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:47.340 Lord, we thank you again 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.200 and we know 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.820 that forgiveness 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.840 is not something 00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:51.100 that can be sourced 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.640 in us, 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.280 that the point 00:29:53.280 --> 00:29:54.540 of this is very clear, 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.140 that forgiveness 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:55.720 is something 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.280 that we need 00:29:56.280 --> 00:29:57.820 to receive from you 00:29:57.820 --> 00:29:58.960 before we can 00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.940 extend it to others. 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:00.900 And so I pray 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:02.140 for all of us here 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:03.740 listening who need forgiveness, 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.460 I pray that right now 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.800 they would turn 00:30:06.800 --> 00:30:07.600 their hearts to you 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.660 and ask for that forgiveness 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.640 and that you would 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.259 grant it, Lord, 00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:10.860 because we know 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.600 that you're a God 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.560 whose eternal nature 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:13.660 is always to have mercy. 00:30:14.540 --> 00:30:15.020 And then, Lord, 00:30:15.040 --> 00:30:15.780 we pray for those 00:30:15.780 --> 00:30:16.820 difficult relationships, 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:18.020 those pain points, 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.960 those areas of struggle 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:20.240 where we need to forgive. 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.780 I pray that you would 00:30:21.780 --> 00:30:23.240 give us your divine strength 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.120 to do just that, 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.319 even if it means 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.839 breathing it in and out 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:29.239 one breath at a time 00:30:29.239 --> 00:30:30.239 and one act of forgiveness 00:30:30.239 --> 00:30:30.819 at a time. 00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:32.079 And we pray this 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:33.119 not only for our good, 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.979 not only that our world 00:30:34.979 --> 00:30:36.659 might become whole one day, 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.500 but we pray it 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.339 for your glory, Lord, 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.319 because you're the source 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.119 and the center of all. 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:41.139 Amen. 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:52.120 Jesus, what a friend for sinners, 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:57.680 Jesus, love of my soul, 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.660 friends may...