Explanation

a. Matthew 18:21-22 (RSV) states: "Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

In response to Peter's question about forgiveness, Jesus emphasizes the importance of limitless forgiveness. The number "seventy-seven times" is symbolic, indicating that forgiveness should not be limited to a specific number but should be extended generously and without bounds. 

Jesus began to tell a parable to illustrate His point about forgiveness. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants." The king began the settlement, and one servant was brought before him who owed an immense amount—an astronomical sum that he could never hope to repay.

As he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made." The servant, in desperation, pleaded for mercy, falling on his knees and saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. Out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. The king showed extraordinary and unmerited mercy by cancelling the entire debt of the servant.

However, this parable took a turn.  When that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii." Compared to the colossal debt he had been forgiven, this was a comparatively small amount. Yet, the forgiven servant seized his fellow servant and began to choke him, demanding immediate repayment. Hearing of this, his fellow servants were greatly distressed and reported the matter to the master. The master summoned the unforgiving servant and said, 'I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'"

In the end, the master handed the unforgiving servant over to the jailers until he could pay all his debt. Jesus concluded the parable with a powerful statement, "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Through this parable, Jesus conveyed the crucial message that since God has forgiven us of an immeasurable debt of sin, we should likewise extend forgiveness to others, no matter how small their offences may seem in comparison. The parable highlights the importance of a merciful and forgiving heart in response to God's abundant forgiveness.

b. The following are the benefits one stands to gain by forgiving others:

1. Receiving God's Forgiveness: Forgiveness opens the door for individuals to receive God's forgiveness for their own shortcomings and sins. The forgiven servant in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant experienced an extraordinary act of mercy from his master, who cancelled a massive debt. When individuals forgive others, they align themselves with the principles of mercy and forgiveness that God exemplifies. As you forgive, you also receive forgiveness.

2. Freedom from Bitterness and Unhealthy Emotions: Forgiveness is liberating. It allows individuals to experience emotional healing and freedom from the negative emotions that can accompany unresolved conflicts. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant highlights the destructive consequences of an unforgiving heart through the actions of the servant who, though forgiven generously, refused to extend the same mercy to a fellow servant. When individuals choose to forgive, they release themselves from the burdens of bitterness, anger, and resentment.

3. Building Healthy Relationships:  Forgiveness is a key component in building and maintaining healthy relationships. When individuals choose to forgive, it fosters reconciliation and restores harmony in relationships. Forgiveness promotes a culture of understanding, empathy, and love. In the parable, the unforgiving servant's actions strained his relationship with his fellow servant and led to negative consequences.

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