When Jesus started his ministry, after being basically kicked out of Nazareth, he moved his base 35 miles over to Capernaum over on the Sea of Galilee.
Here he set up the beginning of his ministry!
It was here that forgiveness as brought on by Peter's question how many times must we forgive!
Forgiveness is vital part for our eternal existence!
How and why most people would ask?
Refer to Matt 6:11 & 12 {below}
Forgiveness is part of our relationship not only with fellow humans but most important how it affects our relationship with our Heavenly Father Almighty God!
Matthew 6:11
Note on Matthew 6:11
This is not a request. It’s a demand, albeit a loving order. This is like a child coming to their Father for something to eat. What would you think of a child that had to beg for their food? That would be a reflection on the parent. Likewise, the way Christians see God as not inclined to provide their needs, and therefore they beg God or try to manipulate Him is a terrible reflection on their lack of understanding. We should come boldly before His throne of GRACE to receive what we need.According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word “ask” can mean “to expect or demand; to invite.” It’s in this sense that we are to ask for things from the Lord. He is already disposed to meet our needs. In fact, He already has (see my note at Genesis 1:26).
But we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). Through faith, we have to place a demand on what God has already provided by grace (Ephesians 2:8).
If I told someone they could use my car tomorrow, then tomorrow they came up to me and asked “Can I use your car?” they could mean two totally different things by the exact same words. They could mean “Were you telling me the truth? Can I really use your car?” Or they could mean “I really believe you. You promised, and I’m here to receive what you promised. Let me use your car.” These are two totally different approaches, but both could speak the exact same words.
Predominately, the church takes the first approach. They don’t really believe the promises of God, so they ask in unbelief, hoping that God will do something. But the superior method is to believe that God has already provided all we will ever need and come boldly (Hebrews 4:16) and appropriate by faith what God has already provided by grace (see my note at Ephesians 2:8).
Life For Today Study Bible Notes
Note 33 at Matthew 6:11: Notice that Jesus didn’t instruct us to pray for a year’s supply of bread. The Jews, whom God miraculously sustained for forty years in the wilderness by giving them angels’ food (Psalms 78:24-25) to eat, had to gather the manna every day. They could not gather more than one day’s supply at a time (except before the Sabbath), or it would rot (Exodus 16:19-21). Exodus 16:4 says that the Lord gave them their bread daily to “prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not.” The Lord desires for the just to live by faith (Galatians 3:11); that is, to make it a lifestyle, not just a once-in-a-while occurrence.Matthew 6:12
Note on Matthew 6:12
Luke 11:4 records this same prayer and uses the word “sins” in place of the word “debts” that Matthew used here. Therefore, it is to be understood that this is speaking of our moral debts, or sins, against the Lord.Notice the linkage between the way we forgive others and the way we are forgiven. See my note at Mark 11:25.
Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.
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This shows just how we need our daily bread (food) to sustain us. Therefore The Lord desires for the just to live by faith (Galatians 3:11); that is, to make it a lifestyle, not just a once-in-a-while occurrence. This how each of us should live. Capernaum became the center of his ministry { Luke 4:14-33 }.
It was at Capernaum that He taught about forgiveness!
" Peter came asking Jesus; Lord how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus answered him. " I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matt 18:21-22 NKJV
This 490 times is the result of the multi-dimensional Hebrew language; where every letter has a numerical reference or meaning! The reply to forgive 490 times came as a shock, and meant that it was purposeful with a much greater significance - but how and why?
490 is the numerical value for the Hebrew word (tamim), which means
" complete, perfect, or finished. " Representing that a person who can not forgive will live an imperfect and incomplete life, that lacks a true understanding of the " it is finished " gracious work of the Death on the Cross by Christ!
Therefore the Hebrew number 490 is also the value of the Hebrew phrase " Let your heart be perfect " 1 Kings 8:6.
Thus forgiving helps make us complete, and is the key to the perfecting our hearts before the Lord God!
Thus there is a much greater meaning and connections. The Hebrew word for my " Nativity " (moladatt) and "Bethlehem" (Beit Lechem) the city where Jesus was born means " House of Bread "- where each numeral individually adds up to 490; which makes perfect sense because here is where Christ was born so that we may be forgiven!
Forgiveness is associated with bread in the "Lord's Prayer" where it says " Give us this day out daily bread and forgive our debts as we have forgiven our debtors " Matt 6:11-12. Just as an individual can not live with our daily bread, an individual can not survive without forgiveness.
The psalm wrote, " If you, Lord, kept a record of our sins, Lord, who could stand? Psalm 130:3
This shows that we must learn to forgive and to be forgiven, How can we celebrate the forgiveness that the Messiah brought us? By partaking of the sacrament bread at the Lord's Supper, where Jesus said,
" This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me " (Luke 22:19)
Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, was born in Bethlehem { House of Bread,} so that we would be able to experience both forgiveness and extend the bread of forgiveness to others. Failing to forgive is as if we are spiritually withholding food from a starving person!
Forgiveness is not elective - rather it is a requirement for the followers of Christ.
We as followers of Christ must forgive because we were forgiven by the Lord Jesus!
Just extending grace and forgiveness should never be dependent an apology!
Forgiving sets us free from the prison of your past life.
Forgiveness is the key to set you free!
May the Lord give you the Faith and Grace to forgive others in Jesus Holy Name!
Amen!
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