Forgiveness Sets You Free

If you’ve ever tried to forgive someone who really hurt you, you know—it’s not easy. Forgiveness sounds noble in theory… but in practice? It’s costly.

Jesus knew that. And still, He taught about forgiveness constantly. Not just as a nice idea, but as a non-negotiable part of living in God’s kingdom.

One of His closest friends asked, “How many times should I forgive someone? Like… seven?”

Jesus replied, “Not seven. Seventy-seven.”
Meaning: Don’t keep score. Just keep forgiving.

Then He told a story about a man who was forgiven a huge, unpayable debt by a king—but then turned around and refused to forgive someone who owed him just a little. The king wasn’t impressed.

Jesus’ point?
You can’t receive grace and then refuse to pass it on.

And then—on the cross, while being tortured—Jesus said this about His executioners:

“Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV)

That’s not weakness. That’s power.

Forgiveness isn’t pretending it didn’t hurt. It’s refusing to let the hurt harden you. It’s not letting someone else’s failure own your future. It's releasing people out of our judgment into the hands of someone far more equipped - God.

So think about this—or ask a friend:

• Why do you think Jesus connected forgiveness so closely to His message?
• Is there someone in your life you’ve been carrying?
• What would change if you let it go—not for their sake, but for yours?