"Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18: 21-35
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.'"
In this parable, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and highlights the contrast between God’s forgiveness toward us and our forgiveness toward others. The parable teaches that we should be willing to forgive others because we have been forgiven by God. It also warns of the consequences of harboring unforgiveness in our hearts.
The example of the servant who was forgiven a massive debt by his master but refused to show mercy to a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount illustrates the concept of forgiveness and its significance in our relationship with God and others.
By telling this parable, Jesus encourages his followers to extend forgiveness generously and without limitations, just as God forgives us. It serves as a reminder that forgiveness is an essential aspect of the Christian faith and a reflection of the mercy and grace we have received from God.