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.
- P138
WhebelysPeter asks Jesus how many times he is to forgive, and Jesus replies seven-ty-seven times. He tells a parable about a servant whose great debt wascanceled by his master but then refused to forgive another who owed himlittle. When the master hears of this, he delivers the servant to be punished.
Jesus concludes that God requires forgiveness from the heart. - P139
When Peter asks how many times he should forgive others, he thinks he is being generous with the suggestion of seven times, but Jesus offers an exponentially larger number. The specific amount is not what Jesus is trying to emphasize; He is telling Peter to offer limitless forgiveness and mercy to fellow believers. - P140
Jesus illustrates His point with a parable about a servant who is forgiven an extraordinary debt after he begs his master for patience. The master is moved by his plea and extends mercy. Such is the God we serve! - P140
He has bestowed incredible forgiveness and mercy on us through His Son for a debt we could not repay, and we are to reflect His character and be gracious and forgiving toward others. - P140
The parable takes a tragic turn when the servant, who was forgiven anextraordinary amount, refuses to forgive his fellow servant for a debt that isconsiderably lower. We see the wickedness of unforgiveness. A believer whohas received incredible mercy should not hesitate to extend mercy to others.
- P140
We should remember the forgiveness that we have received from God andteadily seek to forgive others. If we have truly been transformed by God‘sgrace, we should reflect on how God cancelled our debt and willingly lookto cancel others‘ debts-even if it is the seventh or seventy-seventh time.
In doing so, we begin to see the beauty and grace of forgiveness from God‘sperspective. - P140
Heavenly Father, I praise You for cancelling my debts and continually extending Yourmercy. I receive it with joy and ask that you help me offer such forgiveness and mercyto those who have sinned against me. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P140
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple mustdeny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24 - P141
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