In Matthew 18, Peter (always the verbal processor) asks Jesus “How many times do I have to forgive my brother who wrongs me? I’ll be generous and say… seven times?”
Jesus responds with “Seven? Hardly! How about seventy times seven?”
Jesus then launches into an explanation.
A king calls his accounts to order and requires payment of debts from those who have borrowed from him. One servant of this king owed the exorbitant sum of over 20 years’ worth of paid labor. Calculate for just a moment, how much that would be with your annual income.
Exorbitant? Yes.
Outrageous? Absolutely.
Since instant payment was not forthcoming, the king ordered the man and his entire family to be sold as slaves, and all his property and possessions to be auctioned off to pay just a small part of this outstanding debt.
The servant fell to the ground, begging for more time to pay the debt.
Surprisingly, the king, out of a heart full of compassion, completely forgave the debt.
While on his way home, this same servant comes across a fellow servant who had borrowed $1000 dollars from him. The forgiven servant grabs his co-worker, “Hey man, you’ve got to pay up today. Give me the money you owe me.”
The co-worker begs for more time to repay the debt, but the hard-hearted servant insists on punishment. He calls the constable and has the man thrown in debtor’s prison until he can repay the debt in full.
Bystanders who witnessed this altercation, reported to the king what had taken place.
The king calls a meeting with the forgiven servant.
“You wicked servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?”
The king was furious and ordered the servant to be thrown into the debtor’s prison until he could pay off his entire debt.
Jesus finishes with: “This is exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”
Many other versions say “…If you refuse to forgive your brother/sister from your heart.”
This is a simple truth. Since we have been forgiven a great deal, we must forgive those who have wronged us. The issue here is not vindication or justice. That is God’s business. (Romans 12:19) We are to forgive up to 70×7 a brother who has wronged us.
You must forgive those who hurt you, even if whatever they did to you is unforgivable in your mind.
DMR
You will forgive them not because they deserve to be forgiven, but because you don’t want to suffer every time you remember what they did to you.
Forgiveness is your own healing.
Forgiveness is an act of love.
Disclaimer: I am not addressing perpetual abuse here; if there is abuse, it may be best to seek professional help. Forgiveness will still play a huge part in the healing process though. Don’t forget that.