Matthew 18:21-35 Peter asked Jesus a question.. " Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 

This is an important question. Sometimes we have trouble forgiving even once.. let alone seven times.. but Jesus gives us an impossible  number.. "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."  Beyond our own ability or will.. beyond our capacity to truly forgive this persistent sin  done against us.. This kind of forgiveness is not seen in us mortal beings, is it?  No, I don't think so.. I think  it is a forgiveness that is possible only with God's power and grace.. 

Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness.  The king "wished to settle accounts with his slaves."  The one brought to him first owed a huge amount.. ten thousand talents. My Bible footnote says this is about $10,000,000 dollars worth of silver!  More than a slave would ever be able to pay, that's for sure.  But, this guy asks the king to be patient so that he can repay it, and the king forgives the debt.  Whew!  That guy should be so happy!

But.. no.. he goes out and sees someone who owes him some money.. "a hundred denarii" .  One denarii was a day's wage, so this guy did have a large debt. He also asked for patience and promised to repay the debt.. but his friend, his fellow slave, the one who had just been forgiven an impossible debt.. refused to forgive the fellow his 100 denarii.. or even wait to be paid. Of course, this did not go unnoticed... 

When the king was told what had happened he summoned the first slave back.. " You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?" 

Jesus tells His disciples that His heavenly Father will do just like the king in the parable.. God will bring judgement against those who do not "forgive his brother from [his] heart". 

Our Father in the heaven patiently forgives us.. over and over and over again.  Just read through the Old Testament accounts of Israel.. how many times did the Lord give His people the opportunity to start over.. to repent and be forgiven?  How many times does He forgive us when we mess up.. when we fail to have faith.. when we fail Him?  Jesus paid it all! He paid every debt we have.. in full! And He calls us to have mercy on those who mess up.. those who fail us.. those who hurt us.. 

Father in heaven, how we thank You for patiently and graciously forgiving us for our sins and trespasses and debts.  Father, let the Truth of this Word fill our hearts that we might be merciful and forgiving to those who trespass against us.  We need Your help Lord, to do what You call us to do. May Your Spirit of love and grace fill us again and again so that we can glorify You as we obey this Word. In Jesus' name we ask this.. Amen.