In Matthew 18:21, our Lord Jesus was asked a question about forgiveness. “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” Perhaps Peter thought that his suggestion of forgiving seven times was very generous.

If so, Peter had a very limited understanding of the longsuffering of God. He was not prepared for the Lord’s answer. “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Is Jesus truly in earnest? Must we really forgive our brother when he commits the same offense over and over, up to 490 times? Absolutely! Having been forgiven much, we as God’s children are obligated also to forgive.

Forgiveness is closely linked with God’s longsuffering. For a man to be like Christ—slow to anger, plenteous in mercy—he must be willing and able to forgive offenses swiftly and completely. He must not hold grudges. He must realize that as God forgives us, in the same manner we ought to forgive others.

Jesus followed up His instruction by giving Peter and the other disciples the memorable parable of the king and his offended and offending servants. “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, 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” (Matthew 18:23–27).

The application is clear and direct. Peter and the other disciples had been forgiven their trespasses and sins. Our longsuffering God has graciously forgiven us, His sinful, erring servants. So, what then is our duty to others who have offended or are indebted to us?

Jesus continued His parable. What would be the result if a forgiven man did not forgive another?

“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, 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” (Matthew 18:28–30).

The indebted man who experienced lavish, gracious forgiveness from his master now foolishly demanded his fellow man to repay him what he was owed!

Jesus continued, “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 had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him” (Matthew 18:31–34).

When we honestly consider our own offenses against God to the offenses that others have committed against us, the result is similar to 10,000 talents (more than a lifetime’s earnings ) versus 100 pence (a few days’ wages).

Christ Jesus closed the discussion with a pointed, convicting application to this parable, urging upon all of us the necessity of forgiveness. “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:35).

We should be longsuffering as our God is longsuffering. We must be forgiving as He is forgiving. Christ Himself left us an example on the cross of Calvary. After the Roman soldiers drove the heavy spikes through His hands and His feet and set the cross in its place, our Lord uttered His first words from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). When Christ prayed this prayer of forgiveness, He was not merely speaking of the Romans and the Jews present that day. He was praying for all of us because it was truly our sins that nailed Him there.

These words of forgiveness, spoken in the midst of pain, have been echoed by many obedient martyrs throughout the pages of history. Beginning with Stephen in the Book of Acts, countless martyrs have quoted Christ’s words from the scaffold, from the stake, and from the rack.

Are you willing to forgive your tormenter? Consider the extent of God’s longsuffering that He’s extended to you. How many offenses have you committed? How many times have you slighted God’s mercy and sinned against His grace? Remember: it was your sins that nailed Jesus to the bloody cross.

In light of these truths, how can you hold a grudge against your fellow man? You have been freely forgiven; freely forgive! Don’t be like the angry servant who grabbed his friend by the throat over a trivial offense. Instead, be like Jesus and reflect His longsuffering, His mercy, and His forgiveness by freely and from the heart forgiving your offenders.