Forgiveness does not happen overnight. Jesus also had to go through pain before completing His work of salvation. Similarly, when it comes to forgiving others, there are processes that we need to go through such as pain or suffering that we need to go through.
However, the Bible gives us many examples of forgiveness to remind us of God's great forgiveness and teach us about forgiveness.
• Criminals sentenced to death: When Jesus was crucified, the criminals who were crucified next to Jesus said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!" Even for criminals who will die soon, Jesus gave him a promise of forgiveness: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).
The criminal realized that he deserved the punishment he received but put his faith and hope in Jesus in his last moments.
• Peter: Peter was a close friend of Jesus. But fearing that his life would be threatened, he denied that he knew Jesus when He was arrested. Jesus forgave Peter and used him to start the church (Mark 14:66-72; John 21:15-19).
Peter's reproach and God's forgiveness show us that no matter how deeply we have hurt God's heart, He will still forgive us with love and wants to use us for His service on earth.
• Woman caught red-handed: According to the law of the time, the woman who committed adultery should be put to death. But Jesus Christ forgave her sins (John 8:1-11).
Our shame and guilt cannot match God's love of forgiveness for us. Jesus said to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, sin no more," (John 8:11) He also wants to do the same to us when we come to Him.
• Paul: He diligently dragged Christians from home and killed them. In Acts 8, he stands watching, nodding his head in agreement as Stephen was stoned to death. But then he met Jesus and spent the rest of his life telling others the gospel (Acts 9; 1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul's repentance should be an example to us as people who have received God's mercy and forgiveness. As a sign of his gratitude and joy for God's forgiveness, he has served God by telling others about God's forgiveness.
• Joseph: His youth was very difficult. He was hated by his brothers for receiving special love from Jacob. At the age of 17, he was almost killed and thrown into a dry well. Then he was sold and taken to Egypt. In Egypt, he was accused of raping his master's wife and imprisoned unjustly. If there is anyone who should feel angry, hateful and vindictive, that person is Joseph. In the midst of the tragedy that befell him, he was appointed by Pharaoh to be the ruler of Egypt. However, the amazing thing about Joseph's story is that he still forgave his brothers and helped them when they were starving (Genesis 37-50).
When we are unable to forgive others, look at the work of Jesus and the testimony of Joseph's life who was able to forgive his brothers.
• The Prodigal Son: The story of two sons who were given an inheritance by their father. The youngest sold his inherited possessions and used the money to splurge. Then a famine happened but his money was used up. Because of his painful life, he decided to return to his father. He repented of his actions. When his father saw him from a distance, he ran to him, hugged and kissed him. He was so happy to see his son back in his arms that he held a feast (Luke 15:11-31).
In this regard, the father represents God's heart that forgives without hesitation. While the child represents us who want to repent and return to the Father in heaven.