KEY SCRIPTURE; Matthew 26:31. “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad”.

During the discussions the Lord had with His disciples before his passion, he made it clear to them that, they would be offended in Him. They would all forsake Him to be arrested and killed ultimately. Just after saying this, He said afterwards, that He would meet them in Galilee after His resurrection. Matthew 26:32.”But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee”. It is always a very painful thing to have your close associates forsake you in trying moments. In Jesus case, He said they would forsake Him to His fate, yet He did not show any sense of anger, disappointment or worry. He rather added that, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. This meant what was to happen had no ill effect on Him. Why was this so? He had forgiven them in advance. I believe the Lord had forgiven Judas in advance. Judas did not know and he gave way to guilt and self condemnation to lead him to commit suicide. Dear one no matter what you’ve done, it is never beyond His ability to forgive you. Forgive yourself.

How could we also forgive our offenders in advance? The Lord Jesus had committed Himself to the will of God and so knew that no one had the power to change whatever God has said or planned about Him. Secondly, he knew that men were prone to error, and so was not surprised or to be worried when they expressed what was normal with them. Dear brother or sister, your friend as a man has a tendency to make mistakes, so please arm yourself with this thought, so you would not be devastated when he or she fails. Forgive him or her in advance. Husband be ready to forgive your spouse before she errs. The same goes for the wife. Some people get so shattered about the error of their neighbours.

The third reason why the Lord Jesus had to forgive His disciples, even before they committed the offence, was that, He needed them to continue with the task He had for them to do. I mean their relationship was so dear that, the offence should not divide them.

Beloved learn to forgive your neighbours even before they sin against you. Don’t allow temporal errors to create permanent separations and divisions. Your relationship has very important and lots of benefits to both of you. Jesus told Peter to forgive indefinitely. Forgiveness always makes you a stronger individual. Forgiveness liberates your heart from certain invisible prisons. Stay blessed. Amen.

THOUGHT; FORGIVENESS IS TO LET GO OF THE PAIN OF THE HURT IN YOUR HEART

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 18:21-22. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Ephesians 4:32 KJV And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.