Matthew 26:28 (ESV)
For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured
out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
“I have forgiven the killers and have no bitterness...”
These were the famous words of Mrs. Gladys Staines, the
widow of an Australian missionary, Graham Staines as recorded on the front page
of the country’s top newspapers. On January 22, 1999, Graham Staines and his
two sons were burnt alive while they were sleeping in a van at Manoharpur,
Odisha.
How could she forgive the people who mercilessly killed her
family?
“God in Christ has forgiven me and expects His followers to
do the same.” Was her reply.
Matthew 26:28 – “...for this is my blood of the covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
The blood of Jesus was literally poured out on the Cross so
that our sins might be forgiven. The Bible says that without the shedding of
blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrew 9:22). In the Old Testament Law,
animals were sacrificed to cover sins. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God, who
does not cover our sins but takes them away. (John 1:29)
Micah 7:18-19 (GNB) – “There is no other God like you, O
Lord, you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay
angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love. You will
be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them
to the bottom of the sea!”.
One of the most beautiful things about God’s nature is the
way He forgives. He does it so completely and in full. Every wrong thing that we
have ever done, everything that could make us feel guilty, every accusation
that the enemy could ever bring against us – God hurls it into the depths of
the sea!
As people who have received his lavish forgiveness, God
expects us to give the same away.
Dear Lord, thanks You for loving us. Show us today if we
are carrying any offense or hurts towards others. Help us to forgive people as You
have forgiven us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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