Chapter 19—The Measure of Forgiveness
This chapter is based on
Matthew 18:21-35
.
Peter had come to Christ with the question, “How oft shall my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” The rabbis
limited the exercise of forgiveness to three offenses. Peter, carrying
out, as he supposed, the teaching of Christ, thought to extend it to
seven, the number signifying perfection. But Christ taught that we are
never to become weary of forgiving. Not “Until seven times,” He said,
“but, Until seventy times seven.”
Then He showed the true ground upon which forgiveness is to be
granted and the danger of cherishing an unforgiving spirit. In a parable
He told of a king’s dealing with the officers who administered the
affairs of his government. Some of these officers were in receipt of
vast sums of money belonging to the state. As the king investigated
their administration of this trust, there was brought before him one
man whose account showed a debt to his Lord for the immense sum
of ten thousand talents. He had nothing to pay, and according to the
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custom, the king ordered him to be sold, with all that he had, that
payment might be made. But the terrified man fell at his feet and
besought him, saying, “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 fellowser-
vants, which owed him an 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; but went
and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his
fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came
and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he
had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee
all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have
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