Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-22
Good morning, brothers and sisters,
Today we come together to talk about something that is both challenging and liberating: forgiveness. It’s a topic that can stir up deep emotions. We’ve all been hurt by someone. And we’ve all struggled at times to let go of that hurt. But as followers of Christ, we are called to forgive. Yet, how do we do it? How do we find the strength to forgive when everything inside us screams to hold on?
Let me read to you from Matthew 18, where Peter asked Jesus a similar question. He said, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus was telling Peter that forgiveness isn’t about keeping count. It’s about having a heart that forgives freely, just as God forgives us.
But let’s be honest. That’s easier said than done. And that brings us to the question we need to answer today.
Forgiveness: Hard for Us, but Jesus Made It Possible
Is forgiveness easy or hard? If we’re honest, most of us would say hard. Depending on what someone did, forgiving them can feel impossible. The pain is real. The betrayal is deep. And sometimes, the last thing we want to do is let it go.
But before we answer that question, let’s look at Jesus.
What Jesus Did for Us
Jesus didn’t just talk about forgiveness. He showed us what it truly looks like. While He was nailed to the cross, in the middle of unimaginable suffering, He said:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” — Luke 23:34
Think about that. He didn’t wait for an apology. He didn’t wait for them to understand how much they had hurt Him. He forgave. And more than that, His death paid the price for our sins. Every wrong thing we have ever done was placed on Him. He took the punishment we deserved, so that we could be completely forgiven.
That is the power of forgiveness — not because we deserve it, but because He loves us.
What This Means for Us
When we struggle to forgive someone, we often think, “They don’t deserve it.” And you’re right. But neither did we deserve God’s forgiveness. Yet He gave it freely through Jesus.
Forgiving someone doesn’t mean what they did was okay. It doesn’t mean you have to trust them again right away. It means you release the debt into God’s hands. You stop carrying the bitterness. You choose to forgive, just as Christ forgave you.
The Bible puts it this way:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
That’s the heart of biblical forgiveness. We forgive because we have already been forgiven. It’s not easy. It can take time. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, it is possible.
Let us Pray…
Lord, forgiveness is hard for me. But You forgave me through Jesus. Help me to forgive others the way You have forgiven me. Heal my heart, and give me strength to let go. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Remember: You don’t have to forgive in your own strength. Jesus already made the way. And because of Him, how to forgive others starts with receiving His forgiveness first.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Go in peace, and forgive as you have been forgiven. Amen.
9/17/26