Revelation 5:2 says “And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” Verse 9 of the same chapter says “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
All of heaven stands in awe of what Jesus did on the Cross. There is a profound depth and sense of wonder with the Cross, which will take an eternity to fully appreciate. And, of course, the reason any of us have the privilege of even entering eternity is because of Jesus’ finished work! What an amazing thought, eternity in the presence of Jesus!
I’m sure you have had those moments as a Christian where you have had this humbling and overwhelming thought, “I will spend eternity in heaven, not because of anything I have done, but because of what Jesus has done for me!” As Jesus was dying on the cross, He looked at those who had crucified Him, and as the people mocked Him, He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus preached forgiveness and loving your enemies; He was demonstrating and living His message in His darkest hour. Forgiveness is the key to peace and reconciliation in this world. Matthew 18:23-24 states “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Jesus taught that because of His finished work on the Cross, there is no limit to God’s forgiveness for us; and because of that there should be no limit to the forgiveness we extend to others. Jesus came to change humanity and at the heart of this is the message of God’s forgiveness for us and our forgiveness of others.
I believe that in His decision to forgive at the toughest moment, Jesus understood the truth that without remaining in a Spirit of forgiveness, there is no way for love to flow. There is no way for faith to flow, and there is no way for the power of God to flow. Un-forgiveness is a great blockage to the working of God’s Spirit. It can even adversely affect our relationship with God.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Un-forgiveness, bitterness, hatred are all the work of the enemy to destroy humanity. Jesus knew on the cross that even at the moment when it was most difficult for Him to forgive, He had to do it; He had to redeem humanity, he had to undo the work of the enemy.
Jesus could not allow un-forgiveness to affect His relationship with His Heavenly Father and neither can you or I. Ultimately, as Jesus remained in a place of forgiveness; it allowed His faith to continue to operate. I have seen the faith of so many damaged because of something that was said or done to bring hurt. Once the hurt enters, if there is no forgiveness, ultimately this affects all of our relationships, and most importantly our relationship with God.
The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:6 that “faith works by love.” Un-forgiveness is a barrier to the love of God and that barrier needed to be removed! “Love never fails” the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:8. When Jesus rose from the dead, He demonstrated the unstoppable power of love!
I want to encourage you to make a decision to forgive those who have hurt you. As you do, even if it seems impossible or difficult to do, you will find great joy and peace as you watch the power of God released. You will find your faith will increase and most importantly you will experience a closer relationship with God.
When Jesus said “Father, forgive them …” He was operating in His role as intercessor for all humanity. Hebrew 7:25 says “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” He was asking God to overlook their ignorance and spiritual blindness. If their eyes were opened they would have seen that what Jesus was doing would change everything.
Jesus was not asking God to overlook their sin, but knowing that because of what He would accomplish on the Cross, there would be a way for all humanity to experience the forgiveness God. I don’t know if you’re like me but there have been times in my life where I have mocked God and all he stood for and I’m so glad Jesus said “Father, forgive him.”
Jesus today stands at God’s right hand ever living to make intercession for us. Those times when we struggle in our Christian walk and fall into temptation and sin. Jesus is saying “Father, forgive them.” The reason He can say that is because He has paid the price for all sin!
Jesus was crucified alongside common criminals. Although He was innocent, He was treated the same was as those who were guilty. Crucifixion in physical terms is a brutal form of punishment and in purely physical terms, Jesus suffered unbearably. Yet it is possible that in having the sin of humanity and the wrath of God pouring out on Him, that what Jesus suffered, in spiritual terms, may have been even greater than the physical torment.
There are many who don’t want to serve a God who looks down from heaven in a dispassionate manner, unable to identify with the suffering of humanity. I believe that in part, the reason Jesus suffered in this way is so that not one person on the planet can look God in the eye and say to Him, ‘You don’t understand my suffering.’ What Jesus endured on the cross goes far beyond what anyone on this earth will have to endure in this life time.
Maybe today you have suffered in life. I want to encourage you, God wants to heal you and use you to bring healing to others. In heaven today, Jesus still bears the marks of His suffering and yet He brings healing and life to countless millions. Maybe you’ve suffered unjustly; God will use those wounds to release a greater healing and compassion through your life.
Maybe today you’re suffering because of your sin. I want to encourage you, Jesus took that sin and suffering on the Cross so you could be forgiven, healed and restored. As Jesus bore all the sin of humanity on the cross, He cried out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) There are those who hold the view that at that moment when Jesus was carrying the sins of the world, God, the Father, may have turned His back on Him for a moment. Jesus was rejected, so you could be accepted.
Today, I’m trusting the Spirit of God will release a greater understanding of the depths of Christ’s finished work in your life. God has done so much for you and no matter what you’re going through, I want to encourage you to make the decision to forgive. Even if you’re suffering today, I’m praying God will release waves of His healing glory in and over your life and that you will never be the same again.
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