Astonishing Forgiveness

As we conclude five days of Astonishing Forgiveness, let's revisit the story of the woman and the alabaster jar to be reminded of how Jesus forgives us.

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Luke 7: 36-39

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 7:44-48

When people look to condemn us, God offers His hand.

God offers life to us, and yet, we often choose death, submitting to idols instead of submitting to Him as the ultimate authority in our lives. And yet, He extends grace and mercy as abundant as water in the ocean. 

But if we expect God to forgive us and extend grace and mercy in abundance for our brokenness, we must also expect to have to forgive others.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

C.S. Lewis said it this way, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

When we cannot forgive others, we have failed to understand the forgiveness offered to us through Christ. 

One of the biggest mistakes we could make is to treat forgiveness as a gentle suggestion rather than a fierce command from our Father. It’s not that it’s the nice, Christian thing to do — it’s a way we can truly die to ourselves and understand that this fight is not against flesh and blood, freeing ourselves from the burden of someone else’s grievances against us.

So, we have three challenges for you this week.

1. Ask God for forgiveness.

While we live on this earth, we will constantly be tempted to choose the things of this world. When we give in to our temptations, we must come before God and repent. 

2. Forgive someone. 

If no one comes to mind, pray and ask God to examine your heart and reveal someone to you. Then, take a moment to forgive the person (or people) who hurt you. Say it out loud if you need to, “I forgive…for…” Say it as many times as you need for as many days, weeks, or months as you need until you truly mean it.

3. Ask someone for forgiveness.
If you have wronged someone (which all of us have), take this opportunity to seek forgiveness, even if it’s something small. Be sure to consider the practical notes we gave you on day four to guide you.

Father, thank you for sending your son to die on a cross for our sins so that we could have eternal life with you. When I have a tough time forgiving others or myself, or when I struggle to apologize to someone, remind me of how you have forgiven me. Help me walk on the path of righteousness with the intention of having clean hands and a pure heart. I just want to be more like you, Jesus. Amen.