Words from the Rock
“Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” Then [Jesus] took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit. . . . If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
John 20:21–23 Message
After Jesus suffers an excruciatingly painful death on the cross, he is quickly taken down (before the Sabbath) and laid to rest in a rich man’s tomb. For three dark days, his disciples endure the most depressing and hopeless hours of all eternity. Not only is their best friend gone, but in their minds, the hope of the world and the Son of God is dead. As far as they know, they’re next. And all for what? From what they can see . . . nothing.
Then, on the third day, Jesus returns to life! He appears to numerous friends and disciples, who are amazed and beside themselves with joy. He tells his followers to gather and wait for him to give them some last words of encouragement. When he shows up, he greets them and then breathes his Spirit into them—his Holy Spirit, the one he promised was coming. The one who will finish all that Jesus has begun.
Is it surprising that some of Jesus’s last earthly words are telling us to forgive others? He had just died a brutal death in order to offer everyone forgiveness and a new relationship with God. Forgiveness is at the front of his mind . . . and rooted deeply in his heart.
Jesus knows that forgiveness is the only way humans can live together. First we desperately need forgiveness from God. Then we need forgiveness from each other. We need to pour out forgiveness with the same generosity that Jesus poured it out to us. As he said, what good will it do to hang on to someone else’s sins? Follow his example and forgive freely!
My Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for forgiving me even before I knew I needed to be forgiven. Help me to forgive others quickly, even if they don’t know they’ve hurt me.
Amen.
Final Word
If we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.
1 John 1:7 CEV
Stone for the Journey
Forgiveness changes me.