The Front Door Is Always Open: Lessons in Divine Forgiveness from Les Misérables
When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who wronged him, the answer was startling: "seventy times seven." But what did this really mean?
As our professor explains to his curious student, this wasn't a mathematical formula but a profound inversion of an ancient ethic. Where Lamech in Genesis once boasted of seventy-sevenfold vengeance, Jesus established a new kingdom ethic of unlimited mercy.
"Forgiveness begins with a decision before it becomes a feeling," the professor reminds us. "The emotions may take years to catch up." This challenging truth reminds us that forgiveness isn't merely emotional release but a deliberate choice that sometimes must be made repeatedly as new dimensions of hurt surface.
In the divine economy, forgiveness always costs someone something—a reality perfectly demonstrated at the cross...
The Radical Call: Understanding Matthew 10
"The Radical Call: Understanding Matthew 10" delves into one of the most challenging chapters in Matthew's Gospel, exploring its timeless relevance for modern disciples. The blog examines Jesus's commissioning of His disciples, unpacking the profound implications of His instructions - from traveling without provisions to facing persecution. It navigates through the chapter's apparent paradoxes, such as finding life by losing it and combining serpentine wisdom with dove-like innocence. While acknowledging the demanding nature of Jesus's teachings, the piece highlights the deep comfort found in God's intimate care for His followers. Through careful analysis, the blog reveals how Matthew 10 strips away notions of casual Christianity, presenting instead a vision of discipleship that demands complete reorientation of life while promising divine provision and purpose. This exploration challenges readers to move beyond comfortable spirituality into a deeper understanding of what it truly means to follow Christ in today's world.