Forgive from Your Heart
Peter came to Jesus one day,
With something important he wanted to say:
“Lord, when someone is hurtful to me,
How many times should forgiveness be?
“If my brother does wrong again and again,
Should I forgive him seven times, then?”
Jesus answered, “Not seven alone,
Seventy-seven! Let mercy be shown.”
Then Jesus told them a story to share,
Of a powerful king who wanted things fair.
A servant owed him a very great sum,
More than he could pay, no matter what was done.
The servant fell down and started to plead,
“Please give me more time! Have mercy on me!
Be patient, dear master, and you will see,
Someday I will pay all I owe back to thee.”
The king saw his worry, his fear, and his need,
And answered with kindness—a generous deed.
“You don’t have to pay me. Your debt is all through.”
What wonderful mercy! His debt was now new.
The servant went out, forgiven and free,
But another man owed him a small little fee.
“Pay what you owe me!” the servant cried,
As the frightened man knelt down by his side.
“Please give me more time,” the poor man did say.
“Be patient with me, and I’ll surely repay.”
But the servant refused to forgive what was due,
Even though the king had forgiven a debt so huge!
He sent the poor man to prison that day.
Other servants were troubled and hurried away.
They went to the king and told what they’d seen:
“He showed no forgiveness! He acted so mean!”
The king called the servant and sadly replied,
“Remember the mercy you received at my side?
You begged for forgiveness, and I set you free.
Shouldn’t you show the same mercy as me?”
The king was upset that the man hadn’t learned
To give the same mercy that was not earned.
The servant had taken forgiveness that day,
But wouldn’t forgive someone else the same way.
Then Jesus explained what he wanted us to know:
The mercy we’re given is mercy to show.
Forgiveness is more than the words that we say;
It comes from our hearts and guides us each day.
For God gives us mercy, again and again,
And asks us to share it with family and friends.
So when someone hurts us, remember your part:
Forgive as God does, with love from your heart.
Inspired by Matthew 18:21–35.