Anchor Devotional

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Words from the Cross: Forgiveness

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:34

The Roman soldiers were obeying orders on a normal Friday morning when they banged the nails into Jesus’ wrists and feet. Did Jesus curse them? No. And if that wasn’t remarkable enough, He then prayed for them. He asked God to forgive them because they did not realize what they were doing. It was all part of God’s perfect plan.

Jesus spoke of forgiveness throughout His earthly ministry. Peter asked Him how many times he should forgive a brother when he sinned against him. Up to seven times? Jesus replied, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). In other words, forgive always. Paul tells us to be “kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

When we consider all that has been forgiven us and all that was paid for us at the cross, how can we not forgive each other? You and I may not have been the ones nailing Jesus to the cross, but it was our sin that held Him there. Yet He freely forgave every offense of ours before we had even taken one breath.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Luke 23:27-34

INSIGHT
When we don’t forgive, we torment ourselves with bitterness and resentment. When we do forgive, there is restoration and relief.

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Joshua 11-12
Psalm 102
Acts 27

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