What’s the question that Jesus answers, “Seventy-seven times”? It’s a question Peter asks, “How often should I forgive?” To emphasize the importance of forgiveness in God’s value system, Jesus tells a parable about an unforgiving servant. He teaches that our ability to forgive arises from compassion and the recognition of having received forgiveness ourselves. Therein lies both justice and mercy.

New Testament scholar Dr. Tom Boomershine tells and comments on Matthew 18:21-35 in a Q & A conversation with Rev. Amelia Boomershine, DMin. For those following the lectionary, this story is the Gospel for Sunday, September 13, 2020.