The Power of Forgiveness: Releasing Others from Unforgiveness

I cannot think of a harder subject to speak on than the subject of forgiveness. It's a word that can invoke an immediate avalanche of emotional wounds and hurtful memories from the past/present sins of another, just by simply saying it.

Recorded in the eighteenth chapter of the book of Matthew, Jesus was teaching the disciples what life in the kingdom of heaven was like, when Peter comes to Him in verse twenty-one and says,

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

At first glance when I read that, I immediately think, Which one of Peter's fishing buddies does he have an issue with? And why did He shoot with such a low number?

I bet it was John! They seem to have a competitive relationship with one another. John was always gloating about being the disciple Jesus loved and he makes sure to mention in his gospel that he was the one to beat Peter to the tomb on the day of the resurrection.

I bet it was John that Peter was referring to when he asked Jesus this question. Waiting for Jesus to say, "Yes Peter, seven times". Then Peter in exaggeration, turns to John, "Did you hear that beloved disciple?! You've exceeded the limit of my forgiveness! I know I've at least forgiven you a hundred times! Jesus just said I don't have to forgive you anymore."

Of course, none of that discourse is biblical, but in our human imagination and rationality, we too, can sometimes look for grey areas in Jesus' teachings to justify our own actions towards others when they sin against us or fall short of our expectations.

To better understand what Jesus is teaching here, I believe there is an important phrase that we can often miss with a casual reading of the scripture and it's the phrase "My brother". Why does Peter specifically use those words? Why not use a general word like "others" to include all people that are not Peter's "brothers"?