What Jesus Did! 'Heaven's Seven' — Matthew 18:21-22

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Then Peter came to [Jesus] and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"

"No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!"

— Matthew 18:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

Like so many of us do, Peter wants to know the limits of the Lord's demand for radical forgiveness. While by human standards Peter's "seven times" principle is quite generous, to even ask for a limit to forgiveness in Jesus' Kingdom is to reveal that a person's mind is still dominated by worldly thinking. Heavenly thinking means going to a cross and forgiving your crucifixion executioners!

Jesus takes the heavenly number of seven and multiplies it by a number that is much greater, not to give an actual numerical limit but to stress that we are to forgive as we have been forgiven and want to be forgiven. In the Father's Kingdom family, the children must forgive like the Father!

Today's Prayer

Lord God, soften my heart and give me a more forgiving spirit. I don't want to be miserly with grace or vindictive in judgment with those who need my forgiveness. You have so graciously blessed me in Jesus; I want to reflect that grace in my relationship with others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Living My MUSD #6: Shared Prayer through Forgiving Redemptively
Article by Randy Becton
Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.
Real People, Real Family
Article by Phil Ware
So how do we get real about the church? Phil Ware continues his series from Matthew on God's presence in Jesus and this week talks about church as family, not community.
Immanuel: In Spiritual Family
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I began yesterday to share with you the four Immanuel passages in the book of Matthew. Recall that Immanuel is the name given to Me in...."
High Cost Forgiveness?
Article by Ron Rose
Is it really worth the cost? Ron Rose reminds us of the need to forgive, not just because we are commanded but because we are imprisoned in bitterness when we don't.
See All 5 Related Resources about Matthew 18:21-22

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 18:21-22 NLT — Then Peter came to [Jesus] and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, August 28, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Anne Graham Lotz:
"God can change our circumstances, but sometimes He waits for us to show real desire for change as well as our faith in Him."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Spirit of Generosity' (Ro. 13:9)
"Dear Father, generous giver, Love sees needs and shares resources. How lacking I am in this regard. Please forgive me and make me better. Give a..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Crisis Council' (Acts 4:5-7)
"The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Matthew 3:7
"It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!