Matthew 18 starts with a question by the disciples as to "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven"? Jesus said it was someone who was as humble as a child because greatness in the kingdom stemmed from humility and not from wealth or status. Jesus then told the parable of the lost sheep expressing the joy the owner has upon finding a sheep that got lost. "In the same way your father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost". Then Jesus gives a formula for dealing with a fellow believers who sin: go and talk to him, but if he will not listen go with somebody else, but if he still will not change then take it before the church, and if he still remains immovable then excommunicate him. Jesus promises to be with them throughout the process: "where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them". Finally Peter asks how many times should he forgive a brother in sin as if 7 times would be right? Jesus answers that seventy-seven times would be better. And from here Jesus went into the parable of the unmerciful servant. A servant's master forgave him a massive debt, but he himself went on to meet up with a fellow-servant who owed him a pittance, but he refused to forgive him! When the master realized what had happened he threw the unforgiving servant into jail and Jesus said: "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart".
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