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and as the holy Scripture cannot contradict Scripture, Matt. 18: 19, 20 must be
interpreted with this in mind. There are three essentials in these verses, (1) the presence
of Christ; (2) full agreement among those gathered, and (3) the requests must be "in My
Name".
How good it is to realize that God's blessing is not regulated by numbers! We may be
impressed by large gatherings but the Lord has respect to the twos and threes, and if they
fulfil the conditions of these verses they can accomplish more than big meetings which
are not so regulated. The word "agree" sumphonesosin gives us our word "symphony",
and when we have two or three gathered in the Name of Christ with Him presiding and
all things subject to His will, we have "symphonic prayer" which will most certainly be
answered. The words "in My Name" are parallel with I John 5: 14 "according to His
will", for how can one sincerely ask in the Name of Christ for things which are not
"according to His will"?
There now follows Peter's question concerning forgiveness of others:
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, `Lord, how many times shall I forgive my
brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?'. Jesus answered, `I tell you, not
seven times, but seventy -- seven times'." (18: 21, 22, N.I.V.).
Peter possibly thought he was being magnanimous in saying seven times, as the
Jewish rule was three times and this was based on Amos 1: 6. But the Lord's reply
meant more than expressed by 490 times; it meant unlimited forgiveness, and to enforce
this Christ gave the parable of the unmerciful servant (18: 23-35). This occupies quite
a long passage of Scripture and the reader is asked to consider it carefully.
Actually it could occur at any time in history. A man owed a very large sum of money
to his king, and as he could not pay the king ordered that he, his wife, children and
property should be sold to repay the debt. The man pleaded for mercy and time to pay,
and the king took pity on him, generously cancelled the debt and let him go.
However, he met someone who owed him quite a trifling sum of money and instead of
giving him the same generous treatment that he had experienced, he handled him
roughly, demanded immediate payment and on finding that the debtor could not repay at
once, had him thrown into prison.
His mean and unmerciful conduct came to the ears of the king who sent for him and
said:
" `You wicked servant. I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow-servant just as I had on you?'. In anger his
master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
`This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother
from your heart'." (18: 32-35, N.I.V.).
We must remember that this parable was addressed to Peter and the Twelve who were
saved men, and the solemn conclusion of the last verse applied to them as much as the