The PREACHING of Forgiveness!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 2 of 6: “The Impact of Forgiveness!”
Full Sunday message, CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Favorite Forgiveness Moments
If you knew you were never going to see a person or family member again, what would you say to them?
You might share a fond memory. You may express your appreciation. You would give important wisdom and direction for the future.
Jesus’ time on the earth was coming to an end. So what does Jesus choose to communicate?
He doesn’t recount all the miracles or touching moments of healing. He doesn’t focus on fond memories of fishing excursions and feeding thousands. Rather, he focuses on putting hearts at peace, filling minds with clarity and engraining the message he wanted shared.
Luke 24:45-49 Then he opened their [the disciples] minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
There are four key aspects to the message Jesus wants shared (the heart of Christianity).
- Scripture. All Scripture is given for our heart to believe and our mind to understand.
- Repentance. Turning 180 degrees from a heart and life of sin.
- Forgiveness. The reality that God has cancelled the debt and punishment your sin deserved.
- Christ. The perfect life, the agonizing death and glorious resurrection applied to you.
At the heart of that message? Repentance and forgiveness.
Imagine if you had enough money to give every person you met $100. Wouldn’t that be fun to give out? Imagine the stories of lives changed, days lifted, and gratitude expressed. The single mom a couple days short of the next paycheck. The coworker who just received an eviction notice. The waitress who was cheery on the outside but depressed on the inside.
These same lives and more can be changed when we “preach” forgiveness freely (“preach” in the original is a ‘herald bringing good news’). It’s one of Jesus’ final directions to us. You have experienced forgiveness. Now we get to share forgiveness.
Forgiveness isn’t just for you. It is for everyone you see and with whom you interact.
Scared? Hesitant? Me too. Jesus’ knows. So were the disciples. That’s why he gave them and us his Holy Spirit, the “power from on high” to help us.
Apply: Ask the Spirit to guide you into one conversation this week that he sets up where you get to “preach repentance and forgiveness” found only in Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for doing all for my forgiveness. Spirit of God make me bold and excited to share that same forgiveness with others. AMEN.
The PLACE of Forgiveness
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 2 of 6: “The Impact of Forgiveness!”
Full Sunday message, CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Favorite Forgiveness Moments
What do you mean they didn’t know what they were doing?
You want to give them a pass because of ignorance?
This is what they did…perhaps daily. In fact, they didn’t think anything of it. They were just carrying out orders. Make sure they stay on. Make sure they come off dead.
The soldiers who crucified Jesus were professional executioners. They knew how to put you on the cross. They knew how to keep you there for as long as possible. But they knew how to make sure you were dead when you came off…after hours of agony.
What do you mean they didn’t know what they were doing?
Jesus wasn’t questioning their skills. He knew they were soldiers tasked with crucifying him and two others. He was making a statement that ignorance wasn’t an excuse for crucifying the innocent.
Was Jesus thinking about Proverbs 24:11-12 when he said this?
Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
The soldiers were ignorant. They were tasked with crucifying Jesus. Was Jesus inferring that they were his last line of defense against the injustice about to occur and did nothing to stop it? The fact was, they too were as guilty of injustice against Jesus as all the others that finally sent Jesus to the cross. Yet Jesus does something remarkable.
Luke 23:32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
From his place on the cross, Jesus chooses to forgive. He asks his Father to forgive their sin, even if was done in ignorance.
As the soldiers divided his garments, Jesus was distributing his grace.
To the member of the crowd who just got caught in the chants and jeering…Father forgiven them.
To the religious leader who was missing the fact that Jesus was the Messiah…Father forgive them.
To the thief on the cross who joined in the mocking of Jesus…Father forgive them.
The impact?
One centurion said as the earth shook at Jesus’ death, “Surely he was the Son of God.” Perhaps he also remembered Jesus forgave him, too.
How about you? Can you be a distributor of grace?
For every person who is convinced they are doing right, but are really doing evil…Father forgive them.
For the person who has intentionally harmed us…Father forgive them.
For the words that stung for years, but the person doesn’t even know they hurt…Father forgive them.
For the person who set out to serve well in ministry but was caught by their ego…Father forgive them.
For the person who barely knows you, but often wishes evil on you…Father forgive them…
…they don’t know what they are doing.
The cross was a strange place to forgive, but what better place to forgive than from the foot of the cross by which I have been forgiven.
Apply: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive, convinced they intentionally harmed you? Find strength in Jesus’ words to forgive you, even of sins of ignorance, to give forgiveness to those…who may not know what they are doing.
Prayer: Father, forgive us…we don’t always know what we are doing! AMEN.
The PRICE of Forgiveness
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 2 of 6: “The Impact of Forgiveness!”
Full Sunday message, CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Favorite Forgiveness Moments
Yesterday marked the observance of Yom Kippur.
Perhaps you missed it unless you are of the Jewish faith. Yesterday was a day of fasting and a culmination of a 10-day period from their New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur. Their current practice believe there are times where God is more distant and times where he is more near. These ten days are to be ones of repentance and prayer, with the assurance that God will immediately accept them during this period.
The celebration certainly has significance for the modern Jew, but today’s’ observance doesn’t seem as poignant and, honestly, bloody.
The Day of Atonement was not a good day for a bull and two goats. The bull gave his blood on behalf of the sins of the high priest and his household. The blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat of God (the surface of the ark of the covenant found in the Most Holy Place.) The first goat died to give his blood for the sins of the community of Israel. His blood too was sprinkled on the mercy seat in the presence of God. The second goat was spared (temporarily) as the priest laid his hands on the goat, transferring the guilt of all the people to the “scapegoat.” This goat was then led outside the camp to a solitary place, and left to die. (Read the full account in Leviticus 16.)
Why all this?
God was graphically teaching that sin was serious and making atonement for it was consequential. The forgiveness of sin demanded the shedding of blood.
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)
But we don’t bring bulls and goats to be slaughtered. (Thank goodness!)
The blood of animals was insufficient and imperfect, but a regular reminder of the price of forgiveness. As we heard yesterday, it is easy to say, “Your sins are forgiven.” It is much more significant to pay the price for forgiveness.
Yet we have one who did just that.
… But now he [Christ] has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; ….. (Hebrews 9:26-28)
To ensure it benefit us, he gives it to us. Each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper we receive the promise that the price of our forgiveness has been paid in full. Each day we partake of the Lord’s Supper is perhaps the New Testament Christian’s mini “Yom Kippur” (Day of Atonement). No more blood of bulls and goats…just the blood of Jesus!
Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Apply: Do you take time to reflect on your sin and repent prior to receiving the Lord’s Supper? Time for reflection and repentance brings heightened appreciation for the forgiveness God gives in the Lord’s Supper.
Prayer: Jesus thank you for shedding your blood so that I might know with certainty the price for my forgiveness has been paid in full! AMEN.
The POWER to Forgive
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 2 of 6: “The Impact of Forgiveness!”
Full Sunday message, CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Favorite Forgiveness Moments
The place was crowded. To turn back home was not an option. It was the last chance for their friend to ever walk again.
They had to get him in front of Jesus. Their desperation led to desperate measures.
Mark 2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.
Distracted by the dust and mesmerized by the mat, those around had to be wondering what was going on. For the friends, their mission was accomplished. Now all they needed was Jesus to touch him and heal his paralysis and they would be on their way.
But Jesus doesn’t heal the paralysis…right away. He knew there was a bigger illness that needed fixing. It wasn’t the condition of his limbs, it was the condition of his life. It wasn’t just a problem for the paralytic, it was a reality for all those standing around him.
The issue was bigger than a physical one. It was spiritual.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus’ concern for the man…for all around…was the condition of the heart. He saw their faith. The friends believed Jesus could heal their friend. The paralytic trusted Jesus was the answer. But he got something better …forgiveness…his relationship with God was restored.
But nothing visibly changed. He was still on the mat. He probably didn’t look any different. But Jesus words stirred the teachers of the law around him.
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Who do you think you are? God?
They knew God was the one who forgives sins. They weren’t ready to acknowledge Jesus WAS God. But Jesus was ready to show them that he was and had BOTH the power to heal AND the power to forgive.
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralytic, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Talk is cheap…unless you back it up with actions.
The paralytic (now no longer a paralytic) walked out of the house in full view of them all. It was concrete proof that Jesus was God AND thus had the power to forgive sins.
What does that mean for you?
When Jesus says, “Mike (insert your name), your sins are forgiven.” They are…because HE is God AND has the power to forgive…you!
Apply: Have you ever felt (are feeling) like God won’t forgive you for _________? Never discount Jesus power to forgive all your sins…even the ones you don’t think he will!
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for seeing what my soul needs most…your forgiveness. Help me to always trust you have the power to forgive and the heart that is willing to forgive me! Amen.
The Importance of … a TEACHER OF THE LAW
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 1 of 6: “The Importance of One!”
Full Sunday message, CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: You…A Tax Collector…A ‘Sinner’…A Pharisee…A Teacher
Like trained lawyers trying to lead the witness, Jesus opposition surrounded him in the temple courts and peppered him with questions. Would his answers give a reason to condemn him?
The chief priests and elders wanted to know “By whose authority are you doing these things?” (Mark 11:28)
The Herodians wanted to know “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” (Mark 12:14)
The Sadducees (who don’t believe in resurrection) ask: “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” (Read Jesus’ brilliant responses in Mark 11 & 12)
Then came the teacher of the law as Jesus was finishing his discussion with the Sadducees:
Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
There was something different about the teacher’s question. He seemed to really want to know. He was impressed with Jesus’ answers to the others, and so he asked a question perhaps others had asked him. “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Don’t we all want to know the answer to this question? Don’t you hope Jesus would say, “Don’t steal” or “Don’t murder”? Then we could feel good because we haven’t committed these “big” sins. Perhaps we’d feel pretty good about being granted an eternal life membership to the kingdom of God.
But Jesus gives a different answer.
Love God. Love your neighbor. “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40)
The teacher of the law understood Jesus was the teacher of love. Love for God was more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice. Jesus commends him and says, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
We don’t know what happened to this teacher of the law, but I hope I see him in heaven. I hope I can ask him, “What was it like when Jesus found importance to answer your question?”
I wonder if he’ll say, “I’m glad he did. It was that day that I realized that to love God with all of your heart, God has to take over all of your heart. And he did.”
Apply: Am I trying to love God before being filled with the love of God? What happens to the activity of my day if I first filter all my actions behind the questions, “Is this showing love to God? Or “Is this showing love to my neighbor?”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking time to answer the question of the teacher of the law and teach him of your love. We all think we can earn your favor and forgiveness, but we can’t. Fill us with a love for you so that we may flow with a love for others! Amen.