Friday, August 8, 2003
Friday, August 8, 2003
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates
of Hades will not prevail against it.
Maybe this is why Jesus recommended that we become like little children. A nine-year-old was
on his way out the door to get his younger brother a Christmas present when he discovered that
his brother had just broken one of his own favorite toys. He flew into a rage. He vowed that his
brother could never play with his toys again and that furthermore not to expect a Christmas
present from him this year.
A moment later he returned to the kitchen and slipped on his coat. "I'm going, Mom," he said with
no hint of his anger of the moment before.
"Going where?" his mother asked.
Yes, yes he is. Out of the mouths of babes. It is necessary for us to forgive in order to have
peace in our own souls. It is necessary for us to forgive in order that the past might be past, and
we can experience only the best in the present and the future. It is necessary for us to forgive
because we have been forgiven and, after all, he or she, is our brother or sister.
(Matthew 16.18
NRSV)
Dwight L. Moody once said that Peter did not seem to think that he was in danger of falling into
sin. His question was, "How often should I forgive my brother?" But very soon we hear that
Peter has fallen. "I can imagine that when he did fall," said Moody, "the sweet thought came to
him of what the Master had said." Peter was forgiven for denying the Master. Could he not
forgive those who sinned against him?
"To buy the present," the young man answered.
His mother couldn't hide her look of surprise.
"Well he is my brother, isn't he?" said the lad.
Lord Jesus, I will forgive as you have forgiven me. Amen.
