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By David Wright On Sunday my morning sermon and evening devotional message examined the Joseph narrative in Genesis. For at least 39 years his brothers, who sold him as a slave into Egypt, were haunted by their sin. Forgiving themselves seemed almost impossible. Forgiveness was not easy for Joseph either. For some time he punished his brothers before finding the grace to let go of his bitter feelings. Of course, Joseph's brothers were genuinely penitent. When an offender is humble and remorseful, forgiveness is easier. But what if the offender is stubborn and unapologetic? What if he defends the wrong or even mocks you for expressing hurt? Is forgiveness still required? Technically, forgiveness cannot occur in the absence of repentance. Jesus says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). Does the Lord violate his own teaching by offering unconditional forgiveness at Golgotha? “Father,” Jesus prays for the mob mocking and reviling him, “forgive them; for they know not what they do” (23:34). As it turns out, this gracious request for forgiveness is conditional. At the Pentecost festival about seven weeks after the cross, Peter accuses his audience of crucifying their Messiah. Deeply convicted, the people cry out, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Does Peter say, “You don't need to do a thing! Jesus already prayed for you at the cross”? No! Peter says, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (v. 38). Plainly, Jesus' prayer at the cross is an expression of his willingness to forgive rather than an unconditional release of guilt. A genuine willingness to forgive is all that God expects from us when an offender shows no sign of remorse. Being open to of bitterness. |