Daily Thought for Saturday 19th April 2025
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
The heart of the matter
Margo Cunningham
You may have heard the expression, “The heart of the matter” or be familiar with the Graham Greene novel with the same title. Or possibly the song written and released by Don Henley of The Eagles. In the song Henley writes:
I’ve been tryin’ to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it’s about forgiveness,
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore …
The song is about a relationship break up and Henley’s realisation that the heart of the matter is forgiveness.
Yesterday we remembered Jesus’ love for us on the cross. With his arms outstretched he said: “Farther forgive them…” (Luke 23:34). In that act of selfless love, Jesus “covered a multitude of sins”.
There is great power in forgiveness. That is why I believe it is repeated in The Lord’s Prayer; we need to ask for forgiveness for our sins, and release forgiveness to everyone who sins against us.
It was Peter who asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”. Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22). In Peter’s first epistle, written at a time when there was growing opposition to believers in Asia Minor, he exhorts them to be strong in their mutual love for one another. We read at the start of the epistle “love one another deeply, from the heart”, (1 Peter 1:21) and in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply”.
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Love is powerful, That is why Jesus doesn’t ask us to love one another. He commands us to.
Shall we pray?:
Father God, thank you for the depth of your love for us – such love that you sent Jesus to die for us. Jesus forgive us our sins; Holy Spirit show us who we need to forgive and deepen our love for them. Amen.
Thinking it through:
What does Peter mean by “love covers a multitude of sins”?
How does “Above all …” in 1 Peter 4:8 link to the new commandment Jesus gave us?
Margo Cunningham is a member of Prestongrange Parish Church, Prestonpans. She is involved in encouraging prayer locally, regionally and nationally.