Thursday, April 9, 2026

Scriptures: Luke 23:34 (NKJV) – “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’  And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

John 3:17 (NKJV) – “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV) – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Colossians 3:13 (NKJV) – “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” 

Message: I’ve heard the phrase “Only God can truly forgive” from various people for most of my life.

For me personally, one of the most difficult things to do is to forgive.  To truly forgive a person (or persons) can only come with the help of Jesus who defined the true meaning of forgiveness by His words and actions.

In Luke 23:34, I think Jesus is not only forgiving the soldiers who were carrying out His crucifixion, but everyone including us.  In John 3:17 Jesus said, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” As Christians we are called to live our lives as Jesus taught us.

We must forgive in order to be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15 and Colossians 3:13).

Prayer: As Jesus forgave, so must we also forgive.  Amen.

David Brown

St Lukes United Methodist Church, Orlando, Florida