倘若發問的人是猶達斯，他會寬恕得罪他的弟兄多少次呢？可能一次也不會！
一個把自己看得很重要的人，是不會輕易放過自己和其他人的。他對自己和對別人，都有很嚴厲的要求。對其他人，他有很高的期望，期望得到別人絕對的尊重和即時的回應。「我值得你給我八分的尊敬，你祇給我四分，你欠我！」對自己也有很苛刻的期望，把達標的尺度抬得很高。總而言之，他們不會輕易寬恕他人或者自己！與這樣的人相處，非常辛苦，令人窒息。
伯多祿是漁夫出身，知道自己的社會地位不高，總算是個知道天高地厚的人。所以他還有一點謙卑，不敢對別人有過份的期望。即使面對別人不合理的要求，亦不會反對（路5:5）。他問耶穌基督，要容忍寬恕弟兄們不合理的要求多少次（瑪18:21），讓自我有機會行使權力，宣示自我。耶穌基督知道不願寬恕的害處， 告戒伯多祿要不斷寬恕，否則，受害的是自己！哪怕祇有一次不寬恕別人，祇要一次不寬恕自己，就足以致命了！
其實，寬恕自己比較寬恕別人更難！可幸伯多祿有一顆寬大的心，願意寬恕他的弟兄七次。否則，他怎樣面對自己三次否認主呢？且看，猶達斯負賣耶穌，結果上吊死了（瑪27:5）。當然，你可能認為「賣主求榮」與為了保命而「六親不認」的嚴重性不同，客觀地一個不可饒恕，一個情有可原。錯！客觀地兩者都與耶穌基督斷絕關係，沒有分別！但正是主觀的嚴重性，決定了兩位門徒的不同命運！
天父啊！讓我們學習謙卑，讓我們享見祢的慈愛。亞孟。
Humility II (Matthew 18:21-32)
If Judas had asked the same question, how many times would he have forgiven his brothers who sinned against him? Probably not even once!
Someone who thinks highly of himself will not let himself or others go easily. He demands heavily on themselves and others. He has high expectations on others, demanding absolute respect and immediate response. "I deserve an eight degree respect but you only gave me four. You owe me!" He is harsh on himself, raising targets high! In a word, they will not forgive others and themselves easily! It is burdening and suffocating to deal with these people.
Peter had been a fisherman. He knew that his social status was not high. He knew his position. Thus, he still possessed a bit of humility and did not expect unrealistically on others. He even did not reject unreasonable demands from others (Luke 5:5). He asked Jesus Christ how many times he had to tolerate and forgive unreasonable demands from brothers (Matthew 18:21) probably because he wanted to allow himself an opportunity to exercise authority and to declare himself! Jesus Christ knows very well the danger of the reluctance to forgive. He told Peter to forgive unceasingly. Otherwise, he would be a victim himself. Not to mention unforgiving others once, not forgiving oneself once is enough to be fatal!
Alas! It is more difficult to forgive oneself than to forgive others! Luckily, Peter had a big heart. He was willing to forgive his brothers seven times. Otherwise, how could he face his three denials of the Lord? Look, after betraying Jesus, Judas hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). Of course, you might argue that betrayal of your master is a worse and more serious sin than denial. Objectively, the former is not forgivable and the latter is. Wrong! Objectively, there is no difference because both sins cut off the relationship with Jesus Christ. It was the perceived seriousness that determined the different fates of the two disciples!
Heavenly Father! Let us learn humility. Let us see your mercy. Amen.
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