Page 16 - September 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Introduction ing to justify himself, asked, “Who is my

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful neighbour?” Both queries seek to define
yet demanding commands of Christian the limits of responsibility rather than
to embrace self-giving love. In response,
discipleship. In Matthew 18:21-35, the the Lord dismantles the boundaries of
Lord Jesus delivers a compelling lesson
on forgiveness through a dialogue with forgiveness.
Peter and a profound parable. This pas- Limitless Forgiveness
sage forms part of the fourth Kingdom
Discourse in Matthew, in which the Lord (Matthew 18:22)
deals with practical issues of living with He responds, “I do not say to you seven
others under the authority of the Kingdom times, but seventy-seven times.” Whether,
of Heaven. Its focus is intensely and di- as some commentators suggest, this is 77
rectly relevant to how believers are to live times (the Greek is exactly as in Genesis
as representatives of Christ on earth. At 4:24 LXX) or 490 (70x7) times, the clear
the heart of this discourse lies the truth implication is that forgiveness must be
that forgiveness is not merely a duty; it is a limitless. Believers are not to keep ac-
demonstration of the kingdom life, a mark counts but are called to imitate limitless
of divine likeness, and a test of genuine divine grace.
transformation. If we truly belong to the Interestingly, the number 490 resonates
King, we will be like Him. deeply with Israel’s history. For 490 years,
Context of Peter’s Question the nation failed to observe the sabbatical
(Matthew 18:21) year (2Ch 36:21), a season set aside in the
Old Covenant for debt release and mercy
Peter's question, “Lord, how often will (Deu 15:1-11). This national failure to
my brother sin against me, and I forgive forgive led to the Babylonian captivity.
him? As many as seven times?” follows God’s judgment was righteous, but even
1
the Lord’s instruction about seeking rec- then, He intended restoration through the
onciliation with a brother who has sinned promise of a New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34),
against you (vv15-20). The theme of this in which He would “forgive their iniq-
passage is about restoring broken relation- uity, and remember their sin no more.”
ships within the community of believers. Thus, even in judgment, God moved
Peter's inquiry arises in this context of toward mercy. The principle is clear: If
reconciliation but reveals a human ten- God forgave His people time and again
dency to set boundaries on mercy. He may – ultimately at the cost of His Son – how
have thought himself generous – Rabbinic can we who claim His name withhold
teaching recommended forgiving three forgiveness?
times – but Jesus responds with a standard
that transcends human limitation. The Parable of the Unforgiving
Peter's question has shades of the law- Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
yer's question in Luke 10:29, who, will-
The Lord Jesus illustrates His point with
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the a parable that contrasts divine mercy with
ESV unless otherwise noted. human hardness.

272 TRUTH kTidings September 2025