James’s Blog: Forgiveness Plus.

With everything that’s going on it might be easy to forget that Easter is on the way. We lose sight of Easter at our peril, especially at a time like this, so that’s what I’m going to write about for the next couple of weeks. I’m sure you’ve had your fill of talking about the Coronavirus anyway…

The New Testament has a strong opinion on forgiveness. Namely, that it’s a good thing. It’s a constant refrain, ringing from the gospels right through the letters: Forgive one another.

Forgiveness is an act of love towards others, and an act of trust in God. By forgiving we are giving up our right to judge and punish others. We are freeing ourselves up to love and instead trusting that God will make the right judgement on our behalf.

But even the instruction to forgive can be stretched beyond what is asked and, somewhat unsurprisingly, it is Jesus who shows us how to do this.

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:32-34

The New Testament instructs us to forgive others, but it never instructs us to tell God whether or not He should forgive, and yet that is precisely what Jesus does here. Jesus is not content just to offer his own forgiveness, instead he also asks God to forgive. He does not just let go of his right to revenge, and trust God to judge; instead he asks even God to withhold judgement, to show leniency and take mitigating factors into account. It is not enough for Jesus to forgive – God must also forgive.

Jesus here shows that the New Testament teaching on forgiveness is the baseline, the minimum. We can take it further, not just by forgiving others ourselves but by also pleading with God that He too will not hold their sin against them.

Can you do that? Not just forgive for yourself, but also ask God to overlook the wrongs that are done to you?

If so, you are walking the Easter road with Jesus.