The Power Of Forgiveness
When Jesus was on the cross, He cried out: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus had already undergone intense torture and now was experiencing immense pain as He hung on the cross. To forgive at such a time was incredible. So many of us want the just get through what we are going through and then try to deal with the offense. We want to distance ourselves from the pain before we forgive. Jesus forgave while He was suffering and before He died. He took no unsettled hurt or offense with Him to the grave.
Forgiveness is always unmerited. If it were deserved it would be justice and not forgiveness. Forgiveness speaks of grace. It is bestowed freely on the offender. It is a gift one can give, but this gift has a price. The Bible says: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.” (Heb. 9:22b) The sin of mankind, which is the pain, offense, injustice, slander, etc. that Jesus bore on His body is the price He paid when He forgave. To forgive is not cheap. It is precious and costly.
Jesus first forgave and then shed His blood, yet there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. So what comes first; the chicken or the egg? The answer is: “yes”. It cost you to forgive and when you forgive, it costs you. Forgiveness is the best gift we can receive and the best gift we can give. Forgiveness is a blessing for all, whether it be the offender or the offended. Jesus said it this way: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Mat. 5:7)
Jesus taught us to pray this way, “…forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…” and later in the same passage, “if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you….” (Matthew 6:11-14) Forgiveness has a reciprocal benefit for us. We may think we are doing someone else a favor by forgiving them, but really we are also benefiting ourselves. When we forgive, we are forgiven from God. We are released from bitterness and resentment, and are set free from the emotional bondages of the hurts and mental torments that the memories of the offense cause.
Forgiveness also serves as a spiritual protection from the accusations of the enemy. When we forgive the Blood of Jesus speaks on our defense. It speaks of righteousness, because we have been restored to right standing with God. It speaks of justice, because the price of sin has been paid. It speaks of holiness, because our sins have been washed clean. And, it speaks of mercy, because we don’t deserve to be forgiven.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Hebrews 9:22; Mat. 5:7; 6:9-14; 18:21-35; I Peter 2:24; Rev. 12:11; Gal. 3:13-14