The Necessity of Forgiveness

While on the cross, Jesus asked for forgiveness for the Roman soldiers that had nailed him to the cross, and who were now mocking him.  Jesus' forgiveness of the soldiers mirrors other radical statements that he made about forgiveness, particularly his statement that we should forgive those who have wronged us seventy times seven times.

We are uncomfortable about forgiveness because we think that it means we allow ourselves to be taken advantage of.  Our first instinct when we are wronged is to seek retribution and vengeance. 

Forgiveness in a biblical context is a different concept than holding persons accountable or taking steps to ensure our own safety.  Forgiveness simply means setting aside anger and resentment.  Ultimately, forgiveness is about recognizing that those who wrong us have no power over us.  Forgiveness is something internal that happens within ourselves.

Forgiveness is always associated with self-denial, but it is actually the most self-indulgent thing that we can ever do.  There will always be persons in this world who wrong us.  We can refuse to forgive, hold onto the resentment and anger, and let it damage us and make us miserable.  Or we can forgive and get on with our lives.

Forgiveness is necessary for our own redemption and the redemption of the world.  God needs us focused upon making this world the world that God wants it to be, and to make us holy.  Jesus had a job to do on the cross; to bring about the redemption of the world.  He didn't have time to hold resentment about those who, out of their own ignorance, had placed him there on the cross.  We don't have time for resentment either.  We have more important things to do.