The scene was chaotic. His friends, His mother, His followers stood in disbelief and sorrow as they watched Him beaten, humiliated, crucified.

Thorns on His head.
Spit on His face.
Nails driven in His hands and feet.

Yet, He did not proclaim His innocence.
He did not call angels to rescue.
He did not condemn those calling for His death.

He beheld the angry mob with compassion.
In His anguish He continued to love.
In His pain He chose to forgive.

He Forgave the unrepentant.
He Forgave those who had hurt Him.
He Forgave those who humiliated Him.
He Forgave those who rejected and betrayed Him.

He Forgave without an apology.
He Forgave without a confession of wrong.
He Forgave without a promise to do better.

Holy Forgiveness.

And this Holy Forgiveness exhibited on the cross, is the same Holy Forgiveness extended to us today. His forgiveness, like His Grace, flows freely to those who believe. Because He endured the cross, we now stand before Him forgiven, holy, and blameless (Col. 1:22, 3:13).

As recipients of His free forgiveness, He exhorts us to forgive just as freely.

He calls us to forgive
Without an acknowledgment of wrong from the one who hurt us,
Without repentance or contrition from the one who wronged us,
Without an apology or a promise to do better from the one who offended us,
We are exhorted to forgive just as freely as we were forgiven.

Jesus looked at angry mob, advocating for His death and He advocated for their lives.

Now He looks at us, His children and says, “Believe me, I of all people, understand your pain, your agony, your heartache. I know the sting of rejection, denial, and betrayal. I know what it is liked to be accused and lied upon. I know, My child, how difficult it is to forgive someone who has hurt you to your very core. But I have poured out My Spirit upon you, and I have empowered and equipped you to forgive, as I have forgiven you. I am here, My child. You don’t have to do it alone. You won’t do it all at once. But take My hand and let’s walk towards forgiveness. Let Me be your guide.”

This is Holy Forgiveness. This is what we have received. This is what we extend.

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

#easter #forgiven #lastsevensayingsofchrist #holyweek #holyforgiveness