Forgiveness, The Purpose of Easter

Forgiveness, The Purpose of Easter

Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."  He also said this as the time for his death was approaching, John 12:27 "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."  So it appears that for this death, that forgives us of our mistakes (sin) was His purpose.   Even when being nailed to a cross he said “Forgive them Lord they know not what they do”.   When giving us what is now called by many The Lord’s Prayer we see forgiveness, “forgive us or debts, as we forgive our debtors”  and right after that Jesus said this (Matthew 6:14-15) 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 you Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiveness is so important to keep our walk with God from being derailed.  In Hebrews 12 it says we should peruse peace with all men least a root of bitterness overtake us.  Bitterness can short circuit or lives by keeping us in a state of unhappiness and causes behavior that is unproductive and pushes people away.  Forgiveness is key in our walk and it one of the main purposes that Jesus came to die in our place so we would be forgiven, and in turn forgive. 

Latter when He came back to life He encountered Peter as Peter was fishing.  Peter had followed Jesus for three years and told Jesus he would die for Him, but when it came time to take a stand, he denied he even knew Jesus three times.  And then he returned to his old life of being a fisherman.  Jesus came and asked three times if Peter loved Him, giving him three chances to make up for his three denials, and after each gave him a purpose or task, saying feed my sheep.  This is how it works, forgiveness gives purpose to life.  This is how Jesus forgives, for each time we have failed he gives us a chance to make it right and in that continue our purpose and reason to be.   Have you followed Jesus but for some reason turned your back on him and returned to your old life, and old ways?  Well if you have He wants to say again, “Do you love me?”  and forgive you and give you another chance, and with it again fill your life with purpose and meaning.