Matthew 18: 33 "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?"
Peter asks Jesus how many times he should offer forgiveness to someone. Peter suggests 7 times as prescribed by the Old Testament law, but Jesus tells Peter to actually forgive a person 77 times, a number which really meant a "number without a number." Essentially Jesus tells peter to always forgive and continue forgiving. Jesus then tells the parable of the unmerciful servant. In the story a servant is forgiven his debts by his king, but then turns around and demands his debtors pay him back immediately. The king finds out and punishes the man for not having mercy after he had been given so much mercy.
I have been forgiven by God. I have been forgiven over and over again. So who am I to not forgive others? I should always forgive, no matter what the situation. I should never hold a grudge, or be bitter or resentful. Today I need to have a merciful and forgiving heart.
Dear Jesus, help me forgive as you have forgiven me. Amen.
