Cast in the context of the need to forgive others, Jesus shares a parable referred to by some as “The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.” A closer examination of the passage, however, reveals a different story altogether. Forgiveness is an essential core value all believers must embrace because without forgiveness God fails to forgive us and our prayers are hindered. Twice in the context of prayer Jesus’ message is forgive, once in Matthew 6:14-15, and in Mark 11:15we read, Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” In Luke 17[see passage below] Jesus taught His disciples that it would be impossible to avoid others placing “stumbling blocks,” or offenses, in our paths. Jesus said if the offending brother comes to you asking for forgiveness, forgive him, even if he repeats the offense seven times and seven times he asks for forgiveness. Seven Times! The Apostles indicated what Jesus required was difficult, so difficult they appealed to Him, “Increase our faith!” I can remember the first time I read this incident I wasn’t so dumbfounded with Jesus’ expectation that we forgive but with the Apostles suggesting they couldn’t accept what Jesus required unless there as an increase in faith. And I asked myself then, without reading the rest of the story, “What’s faith got to do with it?” Jesus dispelled that notion by asserting faith, indeed, had nothing to do with it. In fact, He said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.” In other words, faith isn’t required to forgive others, even offended seven times in a day and seven times the offender asks forgiveness. Jesus then told this parable:
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