Live Your Blessing February 20, 2026 Devotional

MATTHEW 18:21-22 | ²¹ Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

Peter wanted to be a star pupil. He knew the Rabbis taught that one should forgive up to 3x when someone has offended you. He also knew Jesus was exceptionally patient and forgiving, from               observation and personal experience. So he asked a question and then supplied what he thought was a splendid answer: “how often should we forgive when sinned against? Seven times?” Peter          anticipated his master’s approval since he had doubled the Rabbinic requirement plus one. Jesus replies, “70 x 7!” He offered Peter a goal of continual, dogged, unlimited willingness to forgive.

This instance reveals the depth of Jesus’ belief in the necessity and power of forgiveness. Why? Because only forgiveness can change the past, the present, and the future. Past hurts can be let go and memories healed, present anger or regret released, and future potential for whole relationships is made possible.

Has forgiveness ever shifted your past, present, or future?

Gracious God,

Help me see the creative power of forgiveness and its capacity to alter time and renew relationships.

Amen.