Thursday, November 30th, 2017

Matt Lauer is now the latest well-known news anchor to be taken off-air because of sexual misconduct allegations. It is never easy allowing ourselves to acknowledge the sins of those we respect or admire. That acknowledgement is important though, as it can be one of two things: the first step in alienation or the first step in forgiveness. Forgiveness is one-sided -- it solely depends on the forgiver and not the trespasser. It is also what we are called to do no matter how many times someone sins. Jesus explained this concept to Peter in the Bible. It says in Matthew, "Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." Today, forgive those who have trespassed against you personally as well as those who have sinned in the public eye. They, like you, deserve forgiveness.

"Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." -- Matthew 18: 21-22 ESV