Forgive
But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. ~ Matthew 26:50
Jesus died on the cross to forgive the sins of the world. He bled and suffered to pay the ultimate price for all sin, for all time. You and I are forgiven today because of that sacrifice. In fact, all people are forgiven, but not everyone walks in that forgiveness. It must be personally received for the payment of forgiveness to save each individual’s life.
Remarkably, Jesus extended forgiveness long before He went to the cross. In today’s reading, when Judas came to betray Him, Jesus still called him friend. Even in the face of ultimate betrayal, Jesus demonstrated His unwavering love and forgiveness. Throughout His ministry, Jesus spent time with sinners and many of them society deemed unworthy and offered them redemption. Forgiveness was always in His heart, freely given wherever He went.
Even as He suffered on the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This prayer was for those who were actively participating in His crucifixion, showing that Jesus held no grudge. Forgiveness flowed from Him because He is love, and love does not hold on to offense.
You and I have the power to forgive as well. Our hearts are always set to either forgive or cling to hurt and resentment. It is up to each of us to decide what kind of heart we want to have. Thankfully, we don’t have to pay the penalty for sin because that debt has already been covered by Jesus. However, we do have to make the conscious choice to release anything that holds us in the grip of unforgiveness.
Below are some ways that you can prepare your heart ahead of time to be ready to forgive when a wrong is done to you or someone you love.
- Start with Prayer
Ask God to help you forgive. Be honest about the pain or offense you’re holding on to and invite Him to work in your heart. Pray for the person who hurt you, asking God to bless them and help them grow. - Acknowledge the Hurt
Write down how the offense made you feel. This will help you process the pain and bring it to God. Once you’ve written it out, pray over it and symbolically release it, then tear it up, throw it away, or burn it as a sign of letting go. - Make a List of Forgiveness Goals
Identify areas of your life where unforgiveness may be lurking. Is there someone you need to forgive? A past situation you need to release? Write their names down, and daily ask God for His empowering grace to forgive them. - Practice Forgiveness Daily
Forgiveness is often a process, not a one-time event. Make it a habit to forgive quickly when someone offends you. When negative thoughts about the offense resurface, remind yourself that you’ve chosen forgiveness and release it again. - Lean on God’s Word
Meditate on scriptures about forgiveness, such as Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Use these verses to strengthen your heart and renew your perspective. - Seek Accountability
Share your journey of forgiveness with a trusted friend, pastor, or mentor. Having someone to pray with and encourage you can make the process easier and provide additional wisdom.
Today, I encourage you to choose forgiveness. Choose to receive the forgiveness that God offers you through the blood of Jesus, and choose to extend that forgiveness to others who have hurt or offended you. The decision is yours, but it often starts with a commitment made ahead of time: to let go, to release, and to forgive.
God placed the power of forgiveness in your heart when He filled you with His love and salvation. Use that power to set yourself free from the bondage of bitterness and retaliation. Instead, walk in the freedom and joy that come from God’s love and forgiveness. When you do, you’ll experience the peace and healing that only He can bring.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 26:47-75
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.
56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”
62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”
67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.
The Daily Dose 