Like the Jewish religious leaders of the first century, I sometimes denounce the “worst sins in the world” on my mental slate. Over time, I’ve scribbled, erased, and revised several lists.
This week we’re meditating on the meaning of the Cross of Jesus in relation to forgiveness. Jesus made this declaration on that Cross:
…“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” …. Luke 23:33-39 NIV
Questions like this pop into my mind when encountering His proclamation: Which of the people present was that forgiveness designed to touch? Was it just limited to those actually involved in his trial and execution? How can I forgive like Jesus?
In order to grasp Jesus’ brand of forgiveness ponder this insight from I Corinthians 13.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:12-13 NIV
In reading this famous chapter, most of us go straight to love, breezing past faith and hope. But there are reasons why Paul included the other elements of that triad. One of them is that there is a hope aspect of the Cross. That hope is not only for those of us who already trust Jesus, but it’s for anybody in the world who responds to His offer of forgiveness made effective by His crucifixion and resurrection.
When hoping in His powerfully compelling mercy, our confidence in the value of spreading the Gospel is renewed. This Gospel of forgiveness is designed to be applied to any person on earth. Established and gnarled sinful behaviors are no match for this force.
Paul says we now know only in part. Hope, faith and love cover what we can’t yet know. However, we do know that the worst sin in the world, crucifying the Lord of Glory, was pardoned by Jesus as he hung on His Cross. Let that sink in.
We don’t know who will respond positively to take advantage of this unfathomable gift to escape the judgment all deserve. Therefore, as disseminators of the Gospel, we can hold back a rush to judgement – even when encountering lives appearing to be a hopeless mess.
Although the Holy Spirit gives discernment to recognize and avoid the damaging effects of sinful behaviors, the weight of judging any person (including yourself), who commits the worst sins is not our duty in this life. With that responsibility off our shoulders, we are freed to pray for and share the Good News of Jesus’ forgiveness knowing that no sin is too grievous for the God of the Universe to absolve.
Enjoy this short video as you figuratively clean your worst sins in the world mental slate and view each person and situation you encounter with fresh eyes.
Kathleen Petersen
