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.’”
“I feel no better forgiving Sam.” Timmy stood, arms folded. “My Sunday School teacher said to forgive seventy times seven.”
“Your attitude--um--stinks?” Grandfather chuckled. “Why should you feel better? Forgiveness is a command of our Lord, but also a choice.” Timmy’s eyebrows met. He opened his mouth but Grandfather held up his hand.
“As a king settled accounts with his servants, they brought to him one who owed millions--impossible to repay.
“‘Sell him, his family and all that he owns for payment,’ the king said. But the servant fell on his face, begged for patience, promised to pay it all.
“‘Your debt is forgiven,’ the king said.”
“Wow, Grandfather. That’s amazing.”
“Later the servant saw a fellow servant who owed him a few hundred dollars. He grabbed him by the throat. ‘Pay up or else.’ The servant fell down begged for patience but he threw him into prison until he could pay.”
“Wait, Grandfather. That’s not right.” Hand held up he continued.
“His fellow servants, really upset, told the king.
“‘You wicked servant. I forgave all your debt and you couldn’t have compassion on your fellow servant?’ The king said, “Take him to the torturers until his debt is paid.’”
“I’m confused, Grandfather. How could the first servant be so mean?”
“He felt entitled. He abused the gift of mercy. He didn’t deserve it--none of us do. 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 forsake me. He gives forgiveness freely and helps me to do the same. Do you need forgiveness? Won’t you come to Him?
“I feel no better forgiving Sam.” Timmy stood, arms folded. “My Sunday School teacher said to forgive seventy times seven.”
“Your attitude--um--stinks?” Grandfather chuckled. “Why should you feel better? Forgiveness is a command of our Lord, but also a choice.” Timmy’s eyebrows met. He opened his mouth but Grandfather held up his hand.
“As a king settled accounts with his servants, they brought to him one who owed millions--impossible to repay.
“‘Sell him, his family and all that he owns for payment,’ the king said. But the servant fell on his face, begged for patience, promised to pay it all.
“‘Your debt is forgiven,’ the king said.”
“Wow, Grandfather. That’s amazing.”
“Later the servant saw a fellow servant who owed him a few hundred dollars. He grabbed him by the throat. ‘Pay up or else.’ The servant fell down begged for patience but he threw him into prison until he could pay.”
“Wait, Grandfather. That’s not right.” Hand held up he continued.
“His fellow servants, really upset, told the king.
“‘You wicked servant. I forgave all your debt and you couldn’t have compassion on your fellow servant?’ The king said, “Take him to the torturers until his debt is paid.’”
“I’m confused, Grandfather. How could the first servant be so mean?”
“He felt entitled. He abused the gift of mercy. He didn’t deserve it--none of us do. 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 forsake me. He gives forgiveness freely and helps me to do the same. Do you need forgiveness? Won’t you come to Him?