Out Our Way: Swimming the river

Matthew 18:21-22 — “Then Peter asked Jesus, ‘How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven but seventy times seven!’”

Out our way you hear some amazing stories from time to time. Now it just so happened I met a man from Colorado who ran a horse ranch along the Gunnison River area. Many years ago, John Wayne was shooting the movie “True Grit” and the producers hired this guy as chief wrangler for the stock — and also as an occasional stand-in. Apparently Glen Campbell was not a horseman, so this guy doubled for him in scenes that require a lot of riding.

But his biggest movie experience was when he doubled for Kim Darby in the scene when her character swam her horse across the river to follow Marshal Rooster Cogburn in pursuit of the man who murdered her father. It was October when the scene was shot and it was the Gunnison River that was crossed.

Swimming a horse across a river is not easy nor is it safe — and in late fall, the water is cold and the currents can be swift. No way the filmmakers would risk one of their stars, so naturally they used a double. The water was swift, wet and really cold, but the double dressed up like the character “Mattie” and swam the horse across. But the director wanted a different angle, so he went back and did it again. And then a third time. All in all, he swam that horse in that freezing water 13 times. But that is how many takes it took to make that scene.

Peter wanted to know “how many takes” he should give others. Granted, some folks never learn and no matter how many takes we give them — they foul up the scene every time. Yet God doesn’t quit on them after they foul up — and seeks to help them.

He is more concerned about them getting it right and becoming whom He created them to be that He is on how many times they messed up.

Some scholars suggest the idea of forgiving others seven times before condemning them was a popular view of the more generous rabbis of the day. Seven was a holy number and the “righteous” were to forgive up to seven times as a sign of their holiness. After that, condemn away! But Jesus said “not seven, but 77 (or 70 times seven depending on the translation.) In either case, it is understood that Jesus is really saying, “as long as it takes.” “Vengeance is Mine!” says the Lord, “I shall repay.” Deuteronomy. 32:3

Or as the Boss reminded me on one judgmental day when I was really wanting to call down His wrath on someone … That is above your pay grade!

How many times must I “swim the river?” As many times as it takes. Will it make a difference? I am not the Director. I simply am called to swim the river and leave the result to Him.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write “Out Our Way.” He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].