Matthew 18:21 says, Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Peter came to Jesus looking for a legalistic answer about forgiving his brother, saying seven times. At what point would Peter have forgiven him enough. We don't need to look for ways to no longer forgive others, but must be willing to forgive as long as necessary. Verse twenty-two declares, Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Jesus answered seventy times seven, which basically means more than we can count. Verse twenty-three says, Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. Jesus told the disciples another parable, this one about a certain king who called his servants in to give and accounting. Verse twenty-four adds, And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. One of his servants who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Verse twenty-five continues, But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The king ordered the man, his wife, his children and all that he had to be sold when the man couldn't pay him. The king had the power and even the right to do so legally. Verse twenty-six declares, The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. The servant fell down and worshipped the king and asked for mercy, saying that he would repay him in time. Verse twenty-seven says, Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. The king was moved with compassion and forgave the servant. The servant had to be rejoicing. Verse twenty-eight states, But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. The man who had been forgiven found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence and took him by the throat and demanded payment right then. We would think that he would have had patience with his fellow servant, but he did not. Peter was like the servant who had everything forgiven by God, and so are we, and we will never have to repay what we owe, because we cannot. Verse twenty-nine adds, And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. His fellow servant reacted the same way that the man had with the king, falling down and asking for patience. Verse thirty declares, And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. Instead of being patient, the man had his fellow servant thrown into prison. He did not treat his fellow servant as his master had treated him. Verse thirty-one adds, So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. When the other servants saw what the man had done, they were very sorry and went and told the master. Verse thirty-two declares, Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: The servant was called before the master and reminded of what the master had done for him because he begged him to. The master called the man a wicked servant. When it comes to forgiving others as Christians, we must remember what God has done for us, and we really did not have to beg Him. God freely forgives those who will put their faith in Jesus Christ. Verse thirty-three asks, Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? The man was held accountable for his lack of forgiveness, and I believe we will be also if we fail to forgive others, especially our fellow servants in Christ. Verse thirty-four continues, And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. The master was angry with the servant and had him delivered to the tormentors until he could repay his debt. Verse thirty-five declares, So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Jesus told Peter that the heavenly father was the same way with all people. God forgives us of all our trespasses if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and He expects us to be just as forgiving to others. God does not limit His forgiveness to us, and we should not limit our forgiveness to others.
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