One day when I was praying forgive us of our debts as we forgive our debtors it dawned on me that I was praying in the first-person plural. I was not merely asking God to forgive me, but you as well—us. I think there must be a kind of communion among all of us who know God, and when I ask him to forgive us then it would be very foolish of me not to forgive at the same time. How can I pray to God and say, Lord, forgive Bob and I of our sins, but I want you to understand that I’m not going to forgive Bob. I’m going to hold a grudge against Bob, but I expect you to forgive him. It doesn’t really work that way.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would take account of his servants.

Then follows a short parable of Jesus’ that, I think, is very revealing along this line. Let’s continue in Matthew, chapter 18.