OUR FATHER WHO FORGIVES THOSE WHO FORGIVE OTHERS

Matthew chapter 18 verses 21 - 35, in the context of the expected conduct of the citizens of the kingdom of God, the disciple Peter approached Jesus with a question related to how many times a person needed to forgive an offending  brother in Christ before giving up and striking him with retribution. The prevailng culture had set that number at seven.

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down [e]at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The Lord Jesus responded with a different standard and He set the number at 490 ( 7 x 70 ) which was in effect an endless number of times that a person who offends us and asks for forgiveness should be forgiven.

The parable given by Jesus ( about a servant who has a huge debt forgiven yet refused to forgive a small debt ), illustrated the view that our Heavenly Father had of people who had been forgiven of much debt and yet showed no mercy towards others.

The heavenly Father will readily forgive those who forgive and for those who refuse to forgive, everything they owe will be required of them.

Have mercy on us o God.

Amen.

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