September 13, 2026

“Four Hundred and Ninety Times”

“Four Hundred and Ninety Times” A sermon based on Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 delivered on Sunday, September 13, 2026 by the Rev. Alison Dutton Jacobs at the First Congregational UCC of Onekama, Michigan.

When Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness, he was as usual, a bit clueless. Looking for a human formula for forgiveness that he could follow. When Jesus answers him, he evokes the special biblical number seven and thus brings God into the solution. In the Bible, the number seven symbolizes completion, perfection, and divine order, appearing repeatedly to highlight God’s work and spiritual fulfillment.