Forgiveness – Steve mentioned Radical Forgiveness last week. This is what Jesus has done for us
Luke 7:36-50
Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner. The woman is a prostitute.
Let’s note the following from the story
The woman knows exactly who Jesus is, comes to anoint his feet with perfume, is overcome with emotion, cries on Jesus feet and wipes the tears away with her hair. This breaks so many taboos in Jewish culture.
Simon judges her.
Jesus the son of God knows exactly what kind of a woman she is and he also know what Simon is thinking.
Jesus shows amazing grace in the way he deals with Simon and he asks him a question about 2 debtors – Who loved him more? Simon correctly answers that the one who has been forgiven the greater debt!
The woman who Simon judges actually followed tradition and showed respect more than Simon. She washed Jesus feet, greeted him with a kiss and anointed his feet with perfume.
“A person who is forgiven little shows only a little love” “Those who are forgiven much love much”
Simon thought he was better than the woman and didn’t see his need of a savior. The woman showed Jesus so much love because she had been forgiven much.
Jesus “I tell you, her sins, and they are many, have been forgiven. So she has shown me much love. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace”
John Piper
“The grace of Jesus actively seeks out the underserving and bestows upon them the favour of heaven”
That’s what happened to the prostitute in the story and that is what happened to you when you became a Christian.
We have all been forgiven much and so love much. We love Jesus, but what about each other?
Think of the Lords Prayer: “And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” The question is do we?
Matthew 6:14
We often hold unforgiveness against people – generally when we have been hurt or unfairly treated – and yet that unforgiveness actually holds us back more than the other person!
Unforgiveness brings anger, hatred, revenge, resentment, bitterness and hurt amongst other things.
Forgiveness brings, restoration, healing, peace, freedom, release, health and well being.
Forgiveness is an act of will, an act of faith. This is so important in our Christian lives and yet we can hold onto unforgiveness for years sometimes.
The enemy will always say that if you forgive:
“You are letting them off the hook” – Actually you let yourself off the hook!
“They don’t deserve your forgiveness” – Good job Jesus didn’t think that!
They are getting away with it – Let it go – Trust that God will deal with it!
Colossians 3:13-15
Ephesians 4:32
We are most like God when we forgive. Forgiveness is a full pardon, it’s a fresh start, another chance, a new beginning. It’s the cancelling of a debt. This is what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross, undeserved favour. We must show this to others.
Matthew 5:43
Quote from bible reading plan
“You will never be happy until you let go of the bitter root of resentment and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiveness is not for their benefit, it's for yours. Forgiveness brings health and peace. It brings emotional and sometimes physical healing. Forgive those who have offended you and watch your relationship with God blossom. Forgiveness is, first, an act of your will. Forgiveness will release a healing force that will forever change your life. Your mental, emotional and physical health will surge with new life!
Let’s pray together. Think of someone you know you haven’t forgiven and pray this prayer of forgiveness with me
Heavenly Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, today I forgive [name of the person] for [what happened, when and how], and now that the spirit of forgiveness has been released from my lips and from my heart, I am liberated from the burden I have carried for too long. May the Lord Jesus Christ fill me with His love an