Matthew Chapter 18- Part 7
Jesus teaches about forgiveness- Read Matthew 18:21-35
Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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 he paid it all. The servant fell down before him and said, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." The master was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 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!" His fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." But he went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had happened. When his master had summoned the servant whom he had forgiven his debt, he said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all your debt because you implored me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" Then his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he paid all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to each of you, if from your heart, you do not forgive your brother his trespasses."
Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a compassionate king who forgave a great debt of one of his servants. A fellow servant of this servant who owed a small sum to this servant was treated very harshly and when the king knew about the matter, he punished the wicked servant for not being kind and forgiving. He was delivered to the torturers. Jesus ended his teaching on forgiveness by saying, "So my heavenly Father will also do to each of you, if from your heart, you do not forgive your brother his trespasses." This would mean that those who harbour unforgiveness in their hearts would have to suffer punishment from the Father and that is a reality in the lives of many.
God the Father has forgiven our great debt of sin, through the atoning sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. He expects the forgiven, to forgive others, the smaller debts of sin done against them.
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