Forgiveness opens the door to reconciliation. Read Matthew 18:21-27. The first-century Jews taught about forgiveness. The expectation of a good Jewish person was to forgive a person once, and if needed, twice. But no one was obligated to forgive a person a third time. By the time we get to Peter’s question in Matthew 18, there is a sense that Jesus had a different expectation for forgiveness. When Peter asked Jesus if they were to forgive people seven times, he was being very generous. Then Jesus took the expectation beyond their imagination when he answered, “Seven times seventy.” Basically, Jesus was telling them that forgiveness was limitless, even a lifestyle. Why? Because God’s goal is reconciliation. Reconciliation can only be possible with forgiveness. Jesus came to earth to reconcile us to God by forgiving us of our sins when he died on the cross. The night before Jesus died on the cross, he told us to “love one another as I have loved you.” I often take these words of Jesus and insert a different word for love. For example, we could hear Jesus saying, “Forgive one another as I forgive you.” Forgiveness does not guarantee reconciliation; it only opens the door. Reconciliation takes two people who are willing to forgive one another with a commitment to renew the relationship and work through any differences that they may have. Forgiveness is still an important step, even if reconciliation does not happen. At least, the door is open. 

Holy God, forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Heal us of our hurts and make the path of reconciliation possible. Amen.