I Forgive You -Jesus

What was one word that Jesus was all about? What did Jesus pray about from the cross?

When you are suffering lots of pain what do you do? What word, or words, comes to your mind? If someone is being extremely mean to you, what do you do? What do you say? What about when someone makes you feel rejected or if they mock you? How do you feel? What might come out of your mouth? What if they were trying to kill you?

Thankfully most of those extreme things are rare in our lives. But Jesus was being mocked, rejected, caused to suffer greatly, and killed on the cross. It wasn’t because of anything wrong that He had done. It was because of our sin that He died on the cross, and even for the sin of those who crucified Him on the cross.

What were some of Jesus first words from the cross, as they pound the spikes into His hands and feet, and as they dropped the cross into its place? “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus life and death was all about forgiveness.

Someone might say, why do preachers and churches always talk about sin? It was Jesus who was most concerned about our sin. He was born to save people from their sin. (Matthew 1:21) While He lived and taught, Jesus told various people who came to Him that their sins were forgiven. (Luke 5:20, 7:48) In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask God for forgiveness, and to forgive those who wrong or offend us. (Matthew 6:12-15) He not only taught forgiveness, Jesus modeled forgiveness when He prayed forgiveness from the cross, for his persecutors. He allowed His blood to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28, Ephesians 1:7) Christ’s desire is that repentance and forgiveness of sins be preached in His name to all nations. (Luke 24:46-47)

While the Lord wants everyone to come to repentance, (2nd Peter 3:9) not everyone will be saved. Acts 10:43 says, “that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Whoever hears the Word of the Lord and believes in Him will have eternal life and not be condemned. (John 5:24) If we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins (1st John 1:9) - based on His sacrifice on the cross.

Nothing could be offered to us as wonderful as the forgiveness of God. Jesus desired everlasting salvation even for His murderers. For that He willingly gave up His life. Jesus died for sinners – even “great sinners” – and wants us to be forgiven thru Him – thru confession of sin and trusting Him as our Savior.

As I conclude, let me encourage you to take in a church worship service this weekend. And as you do, may God use it in a special way in your life. Thanks for reading & have a great day!