A Forgiveness Like No Other

Jesus was dead. 

Those are the words that reverberated through the disciples as they watched their Savior hang upon a wooden cross. It didn't make sense. Jesus was supposed to be their king, he was supposed to lead them to victory over the Romans. But after everything they'd seen him do, there he was, betrayed, beaten, insulted, and condemned to die. As they did this to him, Jesus didn’t plead his innocence, although he was, he didn’t fight, as they beat him, ridiculed, and mocked him, he whispered, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

In the midst of his adversaries, in the very midst of the torture, he pleaded for their forgiveness from the Father before the act was even done. This is why Jesus came. He didn't just come to do miracles on earth. He came to defeat death once and for all. He died so we could live. If we could have a forgiveness like Jesus, a heart so big that we can forgive those who hurt us in the midst of the act, how much different would our world be. Jesus was in the grave, but not even death could hold him. The price was paid, our sins were forgiven, Jesus had made a bridge back to the Father. And although it seemed like the reign of the King of Jews was over, the reign of the King of kings and Lord of lords had only just begun. In only a couple short days, Jesus would break free from the grave that held him and give us the victory over death itself.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:24-25