This week I found a modernized list of how the Bible pictures forgiveness.  There are at least seventy-five ways the Bible portrays forgiveness.  This list gives a sense of this multi-faceted treasure that every Christian shares.  

To forgive is to turn the key, open the cell door, and let the prisoner free. To forgive is to write in large letters above a cross that says, “nothing owed.” To forgive is to pound the gavel in a courtroom and declare the person not guilty. To forgive is to shoot an arrow so high and so far that it can never be retrieved. To forgive is to take out the garbage and dispose of it, leaving the house fresh and clean. To forgive is to loose the anchor and set the ship free to sail.  To forgive is to grant a full pardon to a condemned and sentenced criminal. To forgive is to loosen a stranglehold on a wrestling opponent. To forgive is to sandblast a wall of graffiti, leaving it looking brand new. To forgive is to smash a clay pot into a thousand pieces so it can never be put together again.

What is forgiveness?  To be forgiven simply means a debt owed is now canceled. The debt is no longer owed.

If you have ever owed someone a significant amount of money, it is an unforgettable moment to hear the words, “the debt is paid in full.” It is also truly unforgettable when you have sinned against someone that you love dearly, and you perceive the relationship as beyond repair, but the one you have offended moves toward you saying, “I forgive you.”

In Matthew 9, we find a heart-warming picture of Jesus forgiving someone’s debt.  At this point in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is preaching the Word in Peter’s crowded home in Capernaum with people jam-packed to the door. Perhaps it was in the middle of his sermon when Jesus looked up and saw a pallet suspended by fishermen’s ropes, being lowered from the roof.  Lowering this MacGyver-like pulley system, four men stood up top carefully letting rope through their hands. At the same time, their friend lay motionless while this combined effort landed him right in front of Jesus. 

Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount for us how Jesus saw “their faith” referring to the faith of the men on the roof and not necessarily the one paralyzed.  Jesus looked up, acknowledging that the hard effort from these four came from faith.  He knew they had pushed themselves believing in Jesus’ authority to heal their friend.  But then Jesus looked at the paralytic and acknowledged something else, and something better! 

“And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” (Mat 9:2 ESV)

It was as if he and Jesus were the only two people in the room.  To understand the magnitude of what Jesus declares over this man, you need to remember that no one there had any doubt as to whether Jesus could raise this man to full health.  Jesus had already healed several paralytics who were brought into Peter’s home in an earlier event.  So, it caught everybody by surprise when Jesus’ focus was not first on healing him physically but restoring him spiritually.  His focus was on the man’s forgiven status.  This one who looked pitiable, being incapable of movement, and existing in the worst of conditions, was at the same time in the best condition. 

Jesus made the clear declaration that he was forgiven.  The verb Jesus used for “forgiven” communicates his present condition because of something that had happened.  What had happened is his sin debt had been paid!  To be clear, every sin is only paid for by Jesus’ death and Jesus’ death was still to come, nevertheless, it was still on this basis that Jesus made this declaration.  He was forgiven and free of all his sin. 

Likewise, as born-again believers, we should “Take heart” which means that we should be encouraged. What is it that encourages our hearts?  We have what he had, forgiveness!  It is easy to forget this reality.  Our sins are paid for, meaning that as genuine believers there is nothing that we owe the Lord for any sins we have committed or will commit.  You may be suffering from an ailment, sickness, or chronic pain that leaves you feeling deficient but if you belong to Christ, you are whole at the same time. You have a wholeness that far surpasses these temporary, though severe, difficulties. You have been forgiven every sin you have committed against God.

Reading the rest of the story, we know Jesus did raise this man to full health. However, we must remember his health was secondary to being forgiven.  Where do you find fulfillment in life?  Is it in your health or your status before God?  When your joy is based on your sins being forgiven, your priorities naturally align with what Jesus wants for you and your life!  As God’s sons and daughters, you are fully forgiven, set free from the payment and penalty of your sins.  Your debt is paid in full.