Seventy Times Seven
Written By: Matt Edens
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." -Lewis B Smedes
On October 2nd, 2006, tragedy rippled through a peaceful Amish community in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania when a gunman named Charles Roberts (a non-Amish local milk truck driver) entered a one-room schoolhouse, sadly ending the lives of 5 young girls and injuring 5 more children before taking his own life.
Within hours of this devastation, members of the Amish community extended comfort, support, and love to the family of the one who caused such pain. In the days that followed, they attended his funeral—outnumbering non-Amish mourners—and even contributed financial support to his widow and children. Over the years, a surprising and beautiful relationship of care grew between the Amish and the Roberts family.
The shooter's mother, Terri Roberts, later became a public speaker on forgiveness—her message deeply shaped by the extraordinary grace and compassion she received from those her son had harmed. The story of Nickel Mines has since stood as a profound testimony to the power of forgiveness, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow.
To not only choose to forgive, but to show grace and actively support Roberts' family was not only a beautiful display of love… it was SUPERNATURAL, it was WORLD CHANGING!
The Bible is chocked full of stories of forgiveness, of commands to do so and the rewards of taking these commands seriously! From the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) to the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18). From Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 50:15-21) to Jesus telling Peter to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22), forgiveness isn’t just a nice thing we are supposed to do… it is a FOUNDATION of our very faith!
Maybe forgiveness needs to be for yourself. Today, I pray that you are able to forgive yourself fully and lean into the Grace that God has for you! It is there for you my friend, reach out for it today because that is where true freedom is found! You are NOT the sum of your mistakes!
Don’t get me wrong… this stuff is hard! It’s not natural for us to forgive the unforgivable (especially if it’s ourself), to love the unlovable, to pray for those who persecute us, to turn the other cheek. It takes a divine intervention. Supernatural, World Changing, Life Giving, Chain Breaking love and forgiveness begins where our flesh ends and the work of the Holy Spirit begins!
Over the past few weeks at Victory, Josh and Danny have done a great job in helping posture our hearts towards Discipleship and following Christ instead of just simply believing, towards going ALL IN, pivoting our life towards Purpose and Biblical truth over complacency.
Then Peter came to him 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
Even as Jesus was in His last moment's on the cross enduring excruciating pain, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:24)
Friends, I highly encourage you to search your heart this week, asking God to dig up areas where you may be being held captive by un-forgiveness, bitterness or fear… asking God to reveal heavy yokes around your neck that only He holds the keys to release. Chains that are holding you back from being ALL IN are ready to be broken!