“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic—“Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home (Matthew 9:6-7 RSV).
People aren’t always on their best behavior. The holidays are no exception. At Christmas gatherings, arguments arise from heated debates, past wounds, unmet expectations, or simply holiday stress. But the best gift we can give to one another—one we’ve already received—is that of forgiveness.
Forgiveness frees,
Forgiveness relieves,
Forgiveness helps us breathe,
Forgiveness restores joy and peace.
A great wisdom principle found in Proverbs 19:11 is, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” There is great virtue in overlooking an offense. To do so requires forgiveness . . . and patience.
Can there really be peace without forgiveness? We’ve already touched on the great gift of peace. It has its roots deep in the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus delivered more than one parable on forgiveness. In them He cast obvious contrasts, painting a portrait of the forgiven as one who is, in turn, forgiving, merciful, and grateful. But it’s not about the amount of sin or type of sin forgiven that He highlights, but an awareness of its need and the proper response (see Luke 7:37-50 and/or Matthew 18:23-35).
Jesus offers, by divine prerogative, forgiveness of sin . . . without an individual’s sacrifice required by the Law. This was not lost on the audience of His parables. But modern westerners cannot fully appreciate the relief from the sacrificial system. Where there is immense gratitude for the debt of sin no longer owed—an exorbitant debt which could never be paid—it is further multiplied by what it doesn’t cost personally by way of sacrifice.
Pour out a generous portion of pure worship, as the sinful woman’s nard, for this gift deserves nothing less than our all.
Father, have mercy upon me, a sinner. Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives transgression. You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. Have compassion on me. Tread my sins underfoot and hurl all my iniquities into the depths of the sea (adapted from Micah 7:18-19). Cover them by the blood of Your Son, who sacrificed His life, once for all. Wash me and I will be clean. Increasingly work in me a generous, forgiving spirit that is not easily offended.
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