Those closest to us - resentment

Last Sunday, I shared in the first service from Matthew 18. I didn't get to it in the second service.

Let me reiterate one point that I believe is important for us to understand.

In the context of a brother or sister who sins against you, wounds you, offends, you, Jesus gives what some theologians call, "the parable of the unmerciful servant."

After Jesus explains the way to confront someone who has hurt you, Peter asks, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times."

throughout the years I have taught that Peter was speaking of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

But.....could he not also or in fact directly be speaking of his brother "in the flesh" or Andrew?

Perhaps Peter is speaking literally here of his brother from birth.

Perhaps Andy didn't put the fishing nets away when he was asked to.

Perhaps he was always borrowing Peter's old navy jacket.

Perhaps he was constantly borrowing shekels from Peter to go to Taco Bell and never paying him back.

Well...you get the idea.

90% of all resentment occurs with those closest to you: in your family, at work, or in the church.

Why? Because only those closest to us can hurt us the most.

You don't carry resentment if someone cuts you off on the Dan Ryan Expressway do you? Not if you are emotionally healthy you don't.

Or if someone jumps ahead of you in the line at the checkout counter at the grocery store. Oh, you might feel a temporary sense of anger, but you let it go.

However, it's not the same with those whom we love.

We expect more. We, many times, are blindsided by the hurt that comes from someone that we trust.

So what to do?

Peter says, "do I forgive seven times?" Three times, according to O.T. law was the max. Peter is feeling magnanimous and so doubles it and adds on one.

He's probably thinking, Jesus is going to think, "Dude, you are the man."

Jesus responds, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Which speaks of an unlimited number of times. Which speaks of a lifestyle of forgiveness even more than a one time act.

Difficult stuff when you are walking through hurt and offense.

But ultimately, there is no other way to go.

Just some thoughts for a Tuesday.