Friday, May 23, 2008

Happy Sabbath #6

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered and said, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

How important is family to us? And friends? This evening, as we contemplate the week gone by and the arrival of the Sabbath, we need to ask ourselves: "Are we allowing past hurts and grudges to keep us from the ones we love? Have we grown tired of forgiving our brother?"
Jesus never grows tired of forgiving us our sins. Never, not once, has He lashed out at us or withdrawn His sacrifice due to our sinful nature. Yet we tend to be merciless and unforgiving to those who pierce us with their words and with their acts.
Here stands a challenge as we near the Sabbath hours: if you have anything against your brother, leave your sacrifice at the alter and hurry to him to resolve the matter. Then return and offer your offering of thanksgiving.

GENESIS 33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

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