21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.
25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Matthew 18:21–35 (NIV)
Commentary
In our relationships, we are constantly giving and receiving wounds. The difficulty of forgiveness often allows a "bitter root" of anger and resentment to grow in our hearts. We tend to cry out for justice, wanting to "settle accounts" for every wrong done to us. This unforgiving heart keeps us living in condemnation and causes spiritual conflict that severs loving relationships.
When Peter asked if he should forgive up to seven times, Jesus replied, "not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (vv. 21-22). This implies a boundless and persistent forgiveness that transcends any limit. Through the parable of the servant who was forgiven ten thousand bags of gold but refused to forgive a fellow servant's debt of a hundred silver coins, Jesus emphasized that we must realize the overwhelming grace we have received from God and extend that same grace to others.
Today, remember that you are the one who owed ten thousand bags of gold. You are a person of grace who has already had your entire debt canceled by your Heavenly Father. Be on guard against an unforgiving heart, as it can turn you into a "wicked servant." Relying on the forgiveness you have received from God, try to practice love today by forgiving from your heart a colleague who owes you "a hundred silver coins."