Had you been chosen as an Old Testament prophet, you would have had the unpopular job of giving people bad news. Judgment, punishment, destruction—these were the sort of words you might have become known for using. Sure, you would have also used their redemptive counterparts, like restoration and salvation, but often only after all the judgment, punishment, and destruction talk. When Jesus came along, He spoke words of warning like the prophets before Him, but He also offered forgiveness in a way that they, not being God in the flesh, could not. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
While some people were drawn to Jesus, many were offended by His words and actions. Scribes accused Him of blasphemy for telling a paralytic man his sins were forgiven (Mark 2:5–7). Pharisees were appalled that He let a notoriously sinful woman touch Him (Luke 7:39). Why did Jesus say these things and spend time with these people?
Jesus knew the Father’s heart, a heart that aches for sinners limping through this world under the weight of rebellion and brokenness. It had been His plan from the beginning to provide a way for sins to be forgiven. That way is Jesus. No matter how dark or scandalous our personal sins may be, God extends mercy to us—and to the entire world—because of the price Jesus paid on the cross. He laid down His life to secure pardon for every repentant sinner.
Amen – these are just the words I needed to hear today. Thank you Jesus and I love you. So happy to be living my life with You. ❤️
Was anyone else wondering what was going on in the first part of the Acts verses? I had to go and read the first part of the chapter of Acts 10 to totally understand the verses they had selected for today. These words from today’s devotion really stand out to me: “No matter how dark or scandalous our personal sins may be, God extends mercy to us—and to the entire world—because of the price Jesus paid on the cross. He laid down His life to secure pardon for every repentant sinner.” The forgiveness is something I crave and am happy to receive. I am so glad God’s love doesn’t depend on whether I am good or bad, whether I am rich or poor, whether I am young or old. I am elated God’s love is unconditional and all I have to do is believe and have faith. Lord God, I believe, I believe You sent Your Son to die for my sins and I am so overjoyed He rose again. I have the Holy Spirit in me and believe and will pass it on. Amen.
No matter how dark my sin has been, Jesus forgives me. And he forgives you! Now that our God! I love, love my quiet times.
We have been doing Sunday school lessons and learning AWANA verses at home during this time, and as my 5 year old practices, my 2 year old hears. The most recent verse my older daughter memorized is John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” As we were saying it, my younger daughter said, “Sin is yucky. So, Jesus throws it out the window.” And I just had to share this simple explanation from the eyes of a child with you ladies this morning. My heart melted at her faith. It’s a great reminder of how I don’t need to make it a complicated process. My sin is yucky, so I ask Jesus to take it and throw it out the window, and He does! :) Feeling extra blessed today <3
Love this!!!!
Noting the similarities and difference between the Old Testament prophets and the Son of God, our Lord Jesus does have great value. He truly is the only one in the flesh who has the authority to forgive sin. He did the work that none of us could do. Though I realize some others here have a different take on the idea of forgiving self, I have come to believe that all I (we) truly need is the forgiveness of our Lord. He is enough. If I don’t feel forgiven, it’s not because I need to forgive myself, but I need to fully believe and receive the forgiveness of my God.
Though it wasn’t included in today’s reading, I went on to Matthew 6:15 as it seemed a necessary part of the thought Jesus was presenting to his hearers. If we don’t forgive others of their sins, we will not be forgiven by our Father in heaven. What came to mind as I pondered and prayed on these words is that if we don’t forgive others, we really have not understood how deep is our own depravity and how we don’t deserve God’s forgiveness. Even in Jesus’ example of prayer, he pressed us to pray for forgiveness attached to the need to forgive those who sin against us. Oh it can be hard to forgive the great atrocities which can come against any of us! But as I have received such a great mercy, may I be fully engaged in intentional forgiving of the sins of others. I asked the Lord today to help me see anyone I have yet to forgive. And I even ask him to be able to make a right judgment about what is truly the sin of others as I realize that I could have a bias that needs righting first in order to justly see the sin in my neighbor. I pray these things for you as well, dear sisters!
Thank you for this! I’ve always heard forgive others but it makes so much sense that we can (and need to) forgive ourselves as well.
I try not to think of how much I sin. I know I do, many times each day. Sadly, I know I have mean & jealous thoughts, say things to my husband & children that are not right in God’s eye. I try to forget them but as I pray, they are brought up in my thoughts, eventually each one. I know I need to ask for forgiveness from each person I have wronged but some have been gone for years. In my prayers of asking for forgiveness, I feel so very broken in my heart. But then I remember God is a loving God. He sent Jesus to take away those sins. I am so very thankfully live in the time after Jesus has come, so we can pray for forgiveness and not spend time worrying about it. I also ask forgiveness from the people I have wronged but it is the best feeling to know God forgives my sins. Thank you, dear Lord, for forging and forgetting our sins.
1 John 1:5-9
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Father in heaven, you are light. You are faithful. You are just. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Forgive us our sins. Cleanse us in the blood of Christ. We cast our sins upon the cross. I know from you word, Father, if I confess my sins you are faithful and just to forgive me. Help us to walk in light, as you are in the light.