How Often Shall I Forgive?
The Messiah said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Then came Kephah to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? The Messiah saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
“The kingdom of heaven [is] likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant, therefore, fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
“But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not.”
This parable is designed to show the spirit of tenderness and compassion which we should manifest for others. The pardon of this king represents a pardon that is supernatural—a divine forgiveness of all sin. The Messiah is represented by the king who, moved with compassion, forgave the debt of his servant.
When the debtor pleaded for delay with the promise, “Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all,” the sentence was revoked; the whole debt was canceled, and he was soon given an opportunity to pattern after the master who had forgiven him. But he who had been so mercifully treated dealt with his fellow laborer in an altogether different manner.
The lesson to be learned is that we must have the spirit of true forgiveness, even as God forgives sinners, who can in no case pay their enormous debt. We are to bear in mind that Messiah has interceded as a High Priest for the erring human beings, and we are to treat them as God’s purchased possession.