The question at the heart of Peter's inquiry is really one of shrinking back. God has called us to extend grace as unconditionally as He does, to those as similarly unworthy of it as are we. Endlessly. Ceaselessly. Tirelessly. And without fail. And our question to God is, "When have we suffered enough?"

At the core of our dark hearts there exists a desire to self-justify; to master; to dominate. This is the chief of our sins against God. And while our redeemed self struggles to grant forgiveness, our unjustified nature forever tempts us with the sentiment that "you've taken enough."

We want so much to be let off the hook. To win for once; to be right for once. To have our pity party, blaming the other; to nobly tell our friends, "I put up with a lot, but this was the final straw," and receive forthwith their approval, sympathy, and corresponding pats on the back.

There is no room for this in Love. And lucky for us, because if anyone has the right to say "I've taken more than I deserve," it would be our Perfect and Crucified Lord. However, He tirelessly holds out the forgiveness of the cross, suffering the humiliation of our scorn, distain, and disregard, (and we His saints), all for the joy set before Him which He receives in those brief moments that we remember ourselves and our Father, our Lord, and our rightful source of Justice.

All of our flesh demands to be "let off the hook." We can't stand humiliation, embarassment, and to be subject to disrespect at the hands of a fellow human being. We're confident that we're better than that. Something deep inside of us insists we be treated better than that.

Yet there remains Christ's uncompromising call for complete, humiliating, tireless forgiveness. And we want so badly to be let off the hook of it, if only for a moment, and experience the soothing relief of vindication.

The hook is our life. It is our saving grace. Vindication exists only for the sad souls that haven't the strength to push on, fight through for their salvation. It is not, of course, a matter of earning it. It is a matter of holding it forth as the only truth of our lives, affirming our conviction of and commitment to the knowledge that "You, Lord, are better; are sweeter."