(Scriptural thought on Forgiveness)
Jesus knew impetuous Peter and understood how he would react to the challenges tossed at his feet. On the night of the trial, three times, Peter denied Jesus. Upon hearing the Rooster crow (it must have been close to dawn), Peter flees into the night, weeping bitterly (Matthew 26:75). Why? Suddenly he remembered the conversation with Jesus.
“Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
“Oh, Peter. Even tonight. Before the rooster crows a third time, you will have denied me three times.”
“Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
(Matthew 26:33-35)
Peter may not remember that he held the “keys to the kingdom” (Matthew 16:19) when he defined Jesus as the Messiah. I’m sure he remembers all the personal hurts when he said and did something wrong. In the same chapter where he’s acknowledged for his revelation, he is also spoken to harshly.
But He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me,
for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Matthew 16:23 NKJV
This Brings Me To My Thought
These scriptures bring me to a long-held thought. It’s bedrock. Foundation. Hard to grasp, but it’s true.
God must know how to forgive so much better than I.
Why? Because He understands Love deeper than I ever could.
We think of Jesus as a “personal savior,” and it’s not a wrong thought. When He saved me, it became a Personal Event. Think about this closeness we have with family and friends. We tend to act without thinking, speak without considering others, and generally make a mess of our connection. When we hurt Him, there’s a long-range view of life where God understands us better than we do ourselves.
I do not find where God ever stops loving us. But I do find where the sin that separates creates a barrier. An obstacle that must be cleared before we connect to Him again. Maybe it’s in my sin that I understand His Love better.
In the same writing of the Lord’s Prayer (where we learn about Forgiveness), Jesus adds some poignant words.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV
We Need To Learn To Forgive
We need to learn to forgive! If we cannot forgive, then God will not forgive us.
Scripture does not tell us He stops loving us. Rather. We assume that we are to follow God’s plan and love the sinner from many scriptures but hate the sin (Romans 5:8). From this, we understand that God can love us, even when he will not forgive our trespasses (sin). It is the trespass that separates us from God.
The ultimate act of Forgiveness comes from one of the final seven sayings of Jesus while on the cross. In the moments of most incredible pain and suffering, He prays.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Luke 23:34 NKJV
For us? Our most significant act of kindness will be to forgive even when we suffer the most. Hold on to Matthew 6:14 – Forgive men their trespasses…and God will forgive you.
One Final Look
On the morning Jesus rose from the grave, several women would anoint his body with more spices. It had been too hurried as the sun began to set on the eve of Passover. There was still time to do it right. He was not there! Gone! But a young man (angel?) sat in his place and told them to tell the disciples and Peter that he was gone on to Galilee. Peter? I’m going fishing!
The miracle of this day is many. They fished all night and caught nothing. As they headed back to shore, a voice called out to them, “Have you caught anything?” No. “Cast your nets on the right side, and you’ll get plenty!” They did. Peter and John look at each other. Peter says, “It’s the Lord!” Immediately he dives in and gets to the shore while the other disciples handle the load.
When they get there, coals are prepared, and fish are already cooking. “Come, eat!”
Pause with me a moment.
It’s the “between time” – Peter is onshore with Jesus, and the disciples are still laboring with the load to get to the shoreline. What kind of conversation do you think Peter had with Jesus? I can only imagine. Sorrow. Joy. Weeping. Laughter. Contrition. Rejoicing. Forgiveness. Restoration.
I believe one of the biggest lessons Peter learned, and it’s taught to us without saying anything particular.
We need to learn to forgive ourselves!
Peter, it’s time to use the Keys. This is your moment to shine! There are still lessons to learn, but it’s time to forge ahead. Lead on! We’re learning with you!