Forgive, and Be Forgiven

Be Strong, Be Well — Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Luke recorded (15:11-32) Jesus’ parable of the family dynamic of the prodigal son, his older brother, and their father. When the prodigal came to realize there was the possibility of forgiveness if only he would stop his sinful ways and go back home. The love of the father shines bright as one who could forgive his squandering, wayward son and bring him back into the family as if nothing had ever happened.

Not only was the father able to forgive, he rejoiced in the act of forgiveness. It’s easy to forgive when you truly love someone. On the other hand, the older brother was resentful, selfish, unloving, and angry. The father’s heart was revealed once again when he went out to encourage his older son to come to the party.

The father told him, his loyalty had not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Everything the father had was intended for his older son. He had not been cheated out of anything. As a rule of thumb, the oldest son usually got more than the younger. His portion of the inheritance had not been touched.

Forgiveness is something everyone needs. To deny someone forgiveness, is to deny forgiveness for ourselves. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25–26).

We must learn to love and forgive if we expect to know the Father's forgiveness of us! —Chris