The Servant Who Forgot to Forgive

Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive. Jesus answered with a story about a king and a servant.

The servant owed the king an enormous amount of money. He could never pay it all.

When the king asked for payment, the man knelt and begged for patience.

The king felt compassion.

“I forgive your debt. You may go in peace.”

The servant no longer had to pay that huge debt.

But outside, the servant met another man who owed him much less.

Instead of remembering the kindness he had received, he demanded payment immediately.

The other man also asked for patience. He needed time.

But the servant would not listen and had him sent to prison.

Other servants saw what happened and felt sad. They told the king.

The king called him back. He reminded him of the huge debt he had forgiven. Shouldn't the servant have shown compassion too?

The servant had to answer for his lack of mercy.

Jesus taught that receiving God's forgiveness should help us forgive from our hearts.

When someone makes a mistake and asks forgiveness, we can listen and seek a kinder way forward.

Forgiving does not mean saying harm is all right. It does not mean staying silent if someone hurts us.

We can always ask a trusted grown-up for help and protection.

But we do not need to wish for revenge. We can ask God for kind hearts that remember the patience he shows us.

Jesus tells us a story, and his love stays with us.