The limits of mercy.
Peter's question here was suggested by his Lord's doctrine concerning Christian judgment (Matthew 18:15-20). "Then came Peter," etc. The form of Peter's question may have been suggested by the custom of the rabbins who from Amos 1:3—"For three transgressions, and for four, I will not turn away wrath"—held that three offences were to be forgiven, and not the fourth; or, uniting the two numbers, made "seven times" the extreme limit of their forgiveness. The Lord's reply teaches us—
I. THAT THE CLAIMS OF BROTHERHOOD ARE THE LIMITS OF MERCY.
1. Forgiveness should never be refused when sought with repentance.
2. Forgiveness is no mercy to the impenitent.
II. THAT THE MERCIFULNESS OF THE LORD IS OUR INCITANT TO MERCY.
1. God's mercy is boundless.
2. We must forgive as we are forgiven.
3. Forgiveness must be "from the heart."
III. THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF GOD'S MERCY IS ALSO THE MEASURE OF HIS WRATH,
1. There is a time for reckoning with the King.
2. His pardons will be retracted from the unmerciful.
3. How fearful are the treasures of wrath!