Entry
Forgiveness / Let go
What did Jesus mean
Let go.
Where did Jesus say this
Matthew 6:14-15 — “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
A language note
The Greek word for forgive is aphiemi. One translation is “to let go, release.” This word was often used in the context of “releasing a prisoner.” Imagine the prisoner scenario for a second. The “forgiver” has the power to choose to keep someone prisoner or to release them. Now flip it. The one who needs forgiveness is at the mercy of the forgiver. They are trapped.
What Jesus did not mean
Forgiveness does not mean you understand why someone has wronged you. And it certainly doesn’t mean you’re okay with their choices.
It merely means you choose to release “it.” You release both the prisoner and the burden of trapping that prisoner.
Go back to the prisoner scenario for a moment.
Imagine you are the forgiver. You have trapped someone and only you can release them. That’s a lot of work… to keep them there… trapped forever. What do you think that does to your mind? It keeps your thoughts stuck on the things and people that have hurt you. Maybe not always. Maybe only sometimes. But those thoughts are strong enough to pull you into cycles that feed off negativity and self-pity. How can you walk a path of righteousness if those are your thoughts?
Where to start
Let it go.
Mark 11:25 — “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
When you talk to Jesus, ask him to help you forgive — to unstick you so you can unstick others. Remember, no one is perfect. No one is without sin. If you can forgive others for the wrongs they have done to you, others (including God) will forgive you in those moments where you are not perfect.
And as Jesus said in Matthew 18:21-22, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Forgive and forgive and forgive again. Forgive as many times as you must.
Benefits
Forgiveness can help others choose better next time.
But it’s not just for them. It’s also for you.
Forgiveness can help you focus on what truly matters.
After all, who wants to constantly think about all the bad things that have happened to them when there are so many good things to hope for?
Luke 23:34 — “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
Jesus spoke these words as he was nailed to a cross. The ultimate act of forgiveness. But don’t look at it that way. View it as encouragement. If he can do that for us, we can at least try.
Also said as: seventy times seven · forgive seventy-seven times · Father, forgive them, they know not what they do · forgive us our debts