Our word today is forgiveness. What a sweet and important word. This word is incredibly valuable to us. We love it when we think about forgiveness. It is an issue that permeates every aspect of life. Without forgiveness there is a hardness, bitterness, and conflict. With forgiveness, so many things can be resolved. We are so grateful that forgiveness is one of the aspects of what the Lord gives us at the moment of redemption.
A general idea of the word forgiveness means that something is off the table. If we have been forgiven that issue no longer bears any pressure on us. It is no longer counted against us. It is completely removed from the table, and it is gone. It does not come back again to haunt us or challenge us or condemn us. It should be that way between people. If someone sins against us and harms us and we forgive them then that issue should be resolved and off the table. It shouldn’t be brought back up again. It shouldn’t be reoccurring; it is gone and off the table. That is very important in relationship, but it is far more important in our relationship with God.
In Matthew 26:26, at the first Lord’s supper we find, “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.’” Forgiveness is at the heart of the Lord’s supper as He pointed to these elements that would be symbolic of what He would do for us . . .
