Wandering Heart: Teach Me

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-35

Watch the sermon on YouTube / View the Bulletin

For those of you who are just joining us this week—we are spending this season of Lent with Peter—one of Jesus’ disciples. We are looking at his faith journey---one that was filled with lots of up and downs since Jesus first called Simon Peter from his fishing boat (week 1). Since then, we’ve seen Peter show great courage at times and also falter with lack of trust. We’ve seen him answer some questions right and we’ve seen him completely miss the mark (even if his heart was in the right place). 

Peter is kind of like each of us, isn’t he? He’s in the process of learning what it means to live life as a disciple of Jesus. He’s seen some pretty amazing miracles, healings, and has committed to follow Jesus and learn—about himself, others and God.  If we are honest with ourselves as we try to follow Jesus--- his teachings, his way of life—it is hard. It certainly is not easy. Some of us are all in and some of us just getting our toes wet! Some of us are in way over our head---or at least it may feel like that. I wonder where Peter is right now?  He’s definitely gotten his feet wet (actually his whole body!).  But emotionally and spiritually, where is he right now? Where are you? Where do you find yourself this Lent? Only you will know where you are right now abut we can turn to our text for today to look for some clues as to where Peter may be.  

So, let’s take a look at Peter this week and last week for some clues! 

Last week we learned that Peter just couldn’t wrap his head and heart around some of Jesus’s teachings, Peter tells Jesus—“No way will that every happen to YOU”.  Jesus then calls Peter out (actually calls him Satan) and a stumbling block because Peter was fixed upon the wrong things. He didn’t want to face the hard truth about what was going to happen to Jesus. It didn’t make sense to him and he knew it would be really hard.  

Since then--Jesus has been transfigured high on a mountain, has healed a little boy, and continues to speak of his death and resurrection. The disciples are now in Capernaum, where Jesus is teaching about living in community and addressing sins and forgiveness. 

So, a lot has been taught and experienced---once again. 

And Peter, as Jesus is teaching about many things regarding how to live and love in community-asks Jesus a clarifying question “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

It’s a GOOD question isn’t it? I mean forgiveness is a pretty big deal. It is also a hard to do. So, I think I can understand why he asks Jesus this question.  

But Jesus’ response is not what Peter (I’m guessing) thought it would be-straightforward. And it is not what most of us want it to be- with limits. 

What we have next is a powerful lesson on grace: 

Jesus’ response to Peter’s question about forgiveness highlights the ambiguous math of grace. Peter learns about abundant grace. It’s about letting go of rigid limits and embracing the limitless possibilities of forgiveness and repair. (Dr. Terrance Lester, guest commentator-A Sanctified Art-Wandering Heart)

Forgiveness is one of the cornerstones of our faith. We have been forgiven. And we are to be forgiving people—receiving and giving it—a lot. We are told that building relationships and communities is part of our work and what goes hand in hand with forgiveness. 

What we see in this interaction with Peter and Jesus---is Peter’s willingness to dig deeper—earnestly seeking the right answer—because he does…he does want to get this whole kingdom living right. I have to believe that! His name has changed to Peter---from Simon—to reflect Peter’s future calling---the rock on which I will build my church—as Jesus says. Peter is the rock. He’s got to make sure he knows All The Things! 

But I’m wondering what is going on in Peter’s head when he hears the answer—Not seven times---Seventy-Seven—or seventy times seven (depending on the translation). That is not a straightforward answer. And that is frustrating. Just give me a plain answer! 

Forgiveness is hard business. And tricky, messy, complicated. And if we learned anything from last week’s sermon is that our faith sometimes calls us to embrace complexity.

I read an interview in Sojourners about Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes----who has published a five-part series on forgiveness, in which she addresses harmful myths of forgiveness and describes the ill-effects of unforgiveness. She describes forgiveness as an ongoing process, saying:

“Part of what my Christian identity calls me to do is to decide to forgive and to be committed to the process of forgiving others as often as I possibly can. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that I will always reach whole and complete forgiveness—that’s part of my humanity. The question is: Have I intentionally worked on developing a forgiving disposition?”

How incredible is that? That, to me is pretty mind blowing and honestly, a relief. I wonder if that is what Jesus is meaning when he talks about forgiveness in this passage? She goes on to say

“That’s one way I read the ‘77 times’ or ‘70 times seven,’ I read it as Jesus tipping his hat to the fact that forgiveness is repetitive. It is cyclical. It takes time. We’ve often treated forgiveness as if it’s supposed to be a magic wand that restores everything. But even Jesus is saying, ‘You might have to forgive him again and again.’  ( “Why Are Christians So Bad At Forgiveness?” by Mitchell Atencio. SOJOURNERS. October 31, 2023.)

On the Top 10 list of most asked questions I receive as a pastor would include: “Am I am bad Christian---or person—if I can’t forgive someone?” And “do I need to forgive and forget?” My quick answer is: NO!

Christians often have a “forgive and forget” attitude or have the mentality that forgiveness is this “one and done”. We don’t forget-We can’t. We don’t just do it once. It’s a lifelong spiritual discipline. It is about having a forgiving disposition. Are we trying? 

Maybe forgiveness is hard for Peter. Maybe that why he needs more clarification. Perhaps it is Peter’s way of saying—Teach me. 

 I’d like to share a poem: Teach Me by Sarah Speed. 

When was the last time we were open enough to say those words? In saying “teach me” we admit that we don’t know it all. In saying “teach me” we express a level of humility. 

Perhaps the prayer of our hearts this day could be- Lord, teach me to forgive.

Even when it is hard. 

Even when it is incomplete. 

God’s grace will help us. 

God’s grace is abundant. 

Thanks be to God. Amen

Questions for Discussion

Do you think forgiveness is a process? 

How open are you to being taught? Is being open to learning an act of humility?

What part of Peter's story inspires you?