Resurrecting Easter - Sacrifice: The Centrality of Forgiveness

Since we live in a fairly “churched culture,” I think it’s safe to assume that most people (particularly readers of this blog) have probably heard the message of forgiveness found in the gospel of Jesus. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s safe for me to assume that everyone understands the absolute centrality of forgiveness in the cross of Christ and the implications that has for us.

Forgiveness is central to understanding Jesus and the path he calls his followers to tread. Forgiveness is difficult and at its most basic level requires sacrifice by somebody. A simple but accurate understanding of sin is debt.  Forgiveness provides the payment required to settle the account. When we wrong somebody—God, spouse, friends—debt is incurred. In order for the debt to be paid, someone must sacrifice. Allow me to use a simple illustration.

Imagine you lend your lawnmower to your neighbor. Upon mowing his lawn he proceeds to mow over a pile of rocks that utterly destroys your lawnmower. Though his intent was not malicious—a debt was still incurred. Either your neighbor will need to replace your lawnmower and be out $200 or you will “forgive” him and absorb the debt yourself, either by replacing it or choosing to be “that guy” on the block and not mow your lawn anymore. Regardless of the outcome, a debt must be paid by somebody.

Biblical forgiveness means giving up the right to seek repayment from the one who harmed you. This definition (unashamedly borrowed from Tim Keller!) provides new insight to Jesus’ words as he hung on a cross between two common criminals.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” –Luke 23:34

Jesus chose to absorb the debt of those who wronged him. The ambiguous nature of “them” provides great comfort for the world. Jesus was certainly speaking of the Roman soldiers who physically punished him and placed him on the cross; but many more can find themselves in the “them” of this text.

Friday was all about forgiveness. The work of the Roman soldiers accurately represented our sympathies toward God—hatred, rebellion, evil—while Jesus’ proclamation of forgiveness displayed his willingness to absorb the debt we owe to God for these sympathies. As unruly people who constantly incur debt against a perfectly holy God, a great sacrifice must be made. Either we will pay for our own debt for eternity in hell; OR, we will look to the Infinite One who paid the debt in full for us. Jesus made good for our debt owed to God.

Are you looking for a way to pay back God apart from faith in Jesus—religion, works, social justice? Jesus alone is sufficient to pay your debt and bring about genuine forgiveness. The implications for life after forgiveness are endless, unfortunately Scott has a “500 word rule”…next up, Sabbath…

By: Adam Viramontes