Gilead Lesson Plan

What is the significance of John's seventy-seventh birthday falling around the time that he is deeply struggling to forgive Jack? (See Matthew 18:22)

Matthew 18:22 is perhaps the most famous biblical passage on forgiveness. In it, Jesus is asked how many times a believer should forgive another person who sins against them, to which Jesus responds, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times" (ESV). In this section, John finally explains the numerous was that Jack has hurt him. Jack targeted John with repeated, mean-spirited actions including theft and destruction of his property. Most importantly, Jack abandoned a daughter while John had to bury a...