Read Matthew 18:21-35

The Faithful Forgive

How easy is it to forgive someone who has sinned against you? Maybe they stole from you, or perhaps they spoke lies against you behind your back and damaged your reputation. How easy is it to forgive that person?

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). The apostle likely thought he was being quite generous, giving his fellow man seven opportunities to do wrong without consequence. The rabbis taught that three times was sufficient to forgive, but based on the prophecy of Amos (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6), for a fourth transgression forgiveness was not to be granted. Peter suggested twice as many times plus one! Surely, that is enough, isn’t it?

Jesus answered, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). This is not to say that a person may sin 490 times against you, but that 491st time you do not need to forgive. How many of us would be in dire trouble if such was the case before God? Rather, Jesus is teaching complete and total forgiveness; it is an attitude of forgiveness that is always present in the Christian.

Is that easy? Sometimes, no! When we are personally attacked, harmed, or a loved one is hurt, it is not at all easy to forgive! Yet, we must, if we desire forgiveness for ourselves from the Father. What happened to the man in the parable who refused to forgive his fellow servant? “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him” (Matthew 19:34). Jesus then drives the point home: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (Matthew 19:35).

Can we ever repay God for what He has done for us? The answer, in case you didn’t know, is no. There is no amount of good works that can make up for our sin. But God is willing to forgive us. Yet, His willingness is contingent on our forgiveness of others. Is there anyone that you need to forgive today?

Read Matthew 17:1-9

Hear Him

Peter, James, and John witnessed a truly magnificent event when Jesus was transfigured while speaking with Moses and Elijah on the mount. Two representatives of the dispensation of Judaism – Moses the Law giver, and Elijah the prophet. Peter’s suggestion is understandable from the standpoint of human curiosity. He wanted to make three tabernacles or shelters to prevent Moses and Elijah from leaving, to keep them there where they could perhaps learn more from them.

God, however, indicated that Moses and Elijah no longer needed to be there. The Father spoke from “a bight cloud (that) overshadowed them”: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5). The time of Moses was drawing to a close; Elijah’s work as prophet was in the past. It was time in the first century—and it is still time today—to listen to the Son of God and no one else.

This is the point the Hebrews writer made in the opening lines to his epistle: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). In short, the prophets did their job during the old times, but now under this new covenant, we are to listen to Jesus instead. The prophets prepared the people for the Prince of Peace.

Why do so many want to go back to the old Law of Moses today? Why are so many obsessed with the Ten Commandments? Nine of those ten, by the way, are repeated under the new covenant, so why can’t we be satisfied with the law of Christ?

Read the words that the Father spoke to Peter again: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” He is to be our exclusive authority in all matters, not Moses or Elijah or any other man. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). If Jesus has all authority, that leaves none for Moses and none for Elijah. Listen to Jesus. Listen to the Son. Obey Him!

Read Matthew 16:13-23

Mindful of the Things of God, or Men?

Confusion abounds when it comes to the identity of Jesus. Before He “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), many Jews assumed the Messiah would be born into a prominent family and lead them militarily against the oppression of the Romans. When He arrived, the confusion about who He was remained, as seen in Matthew 16:14. Even today, He is acknowledged by some religious groups as a prophet or a good man, or even a god (though created, not eternal).

What is the truth of the matter? Who is Jesus? Peter stated it clearly: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus affirmed that Peter’s answer was correct, and it was this profession upon which Christ would build His church – that which had been purposed from the beginning (Ephesians 3:10-11) and about which holy men of God had prophesied (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:44).

Jesus then told His disciples that He would be arrested, killed, and three days later, raised again. Peter objected, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22). The apostle went from declaring the Messiahship of Jesus, the Son of God, to telling Him that He was wrong.

How often do we tell God that He is wrong about something? When we read in the Scriptures about the establishment of the church, do we object and listen instead to denominational leaders who claim the church was a part of a backup plan? When we read in the Scriptures about entrance into the church via baptism into Christ, do we object and listen instead to men who claim baptism has nothing to do with salvation, and that a person must be voted into the church’s membership?

Believe what the Bible reveals. Do not object to the words of the Lord, lest He say to you, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23).

Read Matthew 14:22-33

Don’t Lose Focus

Have you ever tried to walk on water? It’s impossible, isn’t it? It defies the laws of science, yet Jesus was able to do that which is impossible for man. Demonstrating His power of nature, Jesus walked on water, and even allowed Peter to do the same, until…

Peter was impetuous, and his words often tumbled out of his mouth before his brain had time to process them. He saw Jesus in the storm and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28). And so Jesus did, and Peter obeyed, and everything was going great, and Peter “walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29), until…

What happened to Peter? He didn’t keep his focus on Jesus. “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). Why did Peter notice the wind? Because he took his focus off Jesus. Why was Peter afraid? Because he took his focus off Jesus. Why did Peter begin to sink? Because he took his focus off Jesus.

We can get overwhelmed in life when we take our focus off Jesus. When everything comes crashing down around us, and we can’t tell which way is up, and nothing seems to go right, have we lost focus? What is more important, the physical and temporary things of this life, or spiritual things?

When Jesus sent His apostles out on the limited commission, He warned that they would be persecuted. Yet He said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). In other words, don’t lose focus and get distracted by the things that are happening here and now; focus on the promise of God who gives eternal life.

One of the most well-known yet neglected commands in the Bible is found in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Where is your focus?