This is the week - Holy Week - Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey—humble, intentional, and fully aware of what was ahead.
“See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey…” (Zechariah 9:9)
He knew that the same voices shouting:
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13)
would soon cry out:
“Crucify Him!”
And still… He came.
Jesus Modeled Forgiveness Before the Cross
During the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread with a friend He knew would betray Him.
He washed Judas’ feet.
He extended love and grace in the very moment of betrayal (John 13:1–5, 21–27).
Let that sit for a moment.
He didn’t wait for repentance.
He didn’t withhold love.
He didn’t protect Himself from the pain.
He chose to love anyway.
Forgiveness on the Cross: The Heart of the Gospel
And then, hanging on the cross, in unimaginable pain, Jesus spoke these words:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
The forgiveness of Jesus is beyond our natural understanding.
To for-give is to give before it is asked…
before it is earned…
before it is deserved.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God for-gave us.
He gave His Son so that we could be forgiven - fully, freely, and forever - and restored into relationship with Him.
Why Forgiveness Matters for Us Today
Because we have been forgiven, we are now called to forgive.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
This is not easy.
It is not natural.
But it is the way of Jesus.
Forgiveness is not about excusing behavior.
It’s about releasing what we are not meant to carry.
It’s about trusting God with justice and choosing obedience in the process.
There is freedom on the other side of forgiveness.
A Holy Week Invitation
As you walk through Holy Week, I invite you to sit with this question:
Where might God be calling you to for-give?
- Is there someone you need to release?
- Is there hurt you’ve been holding onto?
- Is there a step of obedience you’ve been avoiding?
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
But you can take the first step.
There is freedom on the other side of forgiveness.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Where in your life are you struggling to extend forgiveness right now?
How does remembering that Jesus forgave you before you asked change your perspective?
What might it look like for you to "for-give" - to give forgiveness freely, just as Christ has given it to you?
What pain, offense, or bitterness are you holding on to that is keeping you from freedom?
What step in obedience is God inviting you to take this Holy week?
How would your relationships - and your walk with God - change if you chose forgiveness today?