In Matthew 18:21-22, we read: “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven time, but up to seventy times seven.’”
“Am I supposed to feel better if I forgive Sam, Grandfather?” Timmy stood, back stiff, arms folded. “My Sunday School teacher said we have to forgive seventy times seven. That’s a lot of times.”
“Tell me what you think about this.” Timmy sat by Grandfather.
“A king wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One was brought to him who owed millions, impossible to repay.
“Sell him, his family and all that he owns, for payment,” the king said. The servant fell on his face, begged for patience, promised to pay it all.
“I forgive you and all your debt,” the king said.
“Wow, Grandfather. That’s amazing.”
“But the servant found a fellow servant who owed him a few hundred dollars. He grabbed him by the throat. “Pay me what you owe me.” The servant fell down begged for patience, promised to pay him. He threw him into prison until he could pay.”
“Wait, Grandfather. That’s not right.” He held up his hand, continued.
“His fellow servants, upset at what the servant did, told the king.
“You wicked servant. I forgave you all your debt and you couldn’t have compassion on your fellow servant?” The king was angry. “Take him to the torturers until his debt is paid.”
“I’m confused here, Grandfather. How could the first servant be so mean?”
“He took the gift of mercy as if he deserved it. No one deserves it. When I realize what the King has forgiven me, I can forgive others.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. I’m going to tell Sam about the king.” Grandfather smiled.
Kingdom Thinking. The first servant, the selfish servant? I confess. For me, it comes naturally. But the Lord Jesus loves me with a supernatural love and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He gives forgiveness freely. Do you need forgiveness? Won’t you come to Him?
“Am I supposed to feel better if I forgive Sam, Grandfather?” Timmy stood, back stiff, arms folded. “My Sunday School teacher said we have to forgive seventy times seven. That’s a lot of times.”“Tell me what you think about this.” Timmy sat by Grandfather.
“A king wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One was brought to him who owed millions, impossible to repay.
“Sell him, his family and all that he owns, for payment,” the king said. The servant fell on his face, begged for patience, promised to pay it all.
“I forgive you and all your debt,” the king said.
“Wow, Grandfather. That’s amazing.”
“But the servant found a fellow servant who owed him a few hundred dollars. He grabbed him by the throat. “Pay me what you owe me.” The servant fell down begged for patience, promised to pay him. He threw him into prison until he could pay.”
“Wait, Grandfather. That’s not right.” He held up his hand, continued.
“His fellow servants, upset at what the servant did, told the king.
“You wicked servant. I forgave you all your debt and you couldn’t have compassion on your fellow servant?” The king was angry. “Take him to the torturers until his debt is paid.”
“I’m confused here, Grandfather. How could the first servant be so mean?”
“He took the gift of mercy as if he deserved it. No one deserves it. When I realize what the King has forgiven me, I can forgive others.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. I’m going to tell Sam about the king.” Grandfather smiled.
Kingdom Thinking. The first servant, the selfish servant? I confess. For me, it comes naturally. But the Lord Jesus loves me with a supernatural love and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He gives forgiveness freely. Do you need forgiveness? Won’t you come to Him?