Matthew 18:21-35

Be Still: Thank you Lord that you love us. Thank you, Lord, for you care and compassion. Thank you for the gift of your Word, which speaks life today. Amen

Read: Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?'

Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (v21-22)

Encounter: This year, my wife Holly and I celebrated ten years of marriage. We said bye-bye to our three kids and headed down to Cornwall for a couple of nights. It was a delightful weekend. The first night we went for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Because it was a weekend of celebration, we went big. Starters, mains, a side of onion rings, desserts, some nice beverages – why not! It’s our anniversary, we thought. At the end of the meal, we called for the bill, expecting to see quite a large number, but it’s our anniversary so it’s fine!

The waitress came over… 'The bills paid. You don’t owe anything.' Two of our friends had phoned ahead, given their card details, and said, 'It’s on us.' It was extravagant and so touching. They are friends of faith, and they modelled the extravagant heart of Jesus.

Just how many times should we forgive? Peter asked. Jesus replies with more of a phrase rather than a number. Seventy-seven times. That's like us today, saying, infinity + 1. Never-ending in other words.

The love of Jesus is extravagant. The forgiveness of Jesus is extravagant. We should be overwhelmed by just how much Jesus loves us, forgives us, cares for us, and knows us. When it comes to us, Jesus doesn’t do mediocrity or just cover the cost; instead, he does extravagance, above and beyond, until our cup overflows.

Our God is a generous and extravagant God.

Apply: How can you model God’s heart to those around you today? Is there a random act of kindness that you could be a part of? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a generous heart, sharing your abundance.

Devote: Lord God, help me to capture a sense of your extravagance today for the good of others, in thought, word and deed.