Scripture
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.†Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.†John 20:21-23
Observation
I find these few last words of Jesus hard to take in. As the crowning investment of 3 years of intensive commitment to 12 men, Jesus gives to these leaders the burden of forgiveness. They are given the joy of choosing whom to set free and whom not to set free from guilt.
This mandate is so profound because forgiveness will either shut or open the door to a relationship with God, weigh the heart with guilt or set it free with forgiveness, and the difference between heaven and hell itself. That is quite a responsibility.
The disciples used the forgiveness burden wisely. On the day of Pentecost, Peter set 3,000 people free from the guilt of crucifying the Messiah. A few pages later, however, he spoke words to a swindling couple who had lied to the Holy Spirit, and they dropped dead on the spot. It was a tough call it it preserved the integrity of the church. Paul peppered the world with churches, but he spoke words that struck the conniving Elmyus blind. Again a tough call that brought about much good.
What is puzzling about these last words of Jesus is that they were evidently intended for all of us who believe on him. We have been entrusted with the power to forgive or even not to forgive.
Application
Whenever a power is given for good it is possible to do great harm with it as well. The power to forgive or not to forgive can either set people at liberty or needlessly lock them in dungeons of torture. If we are believers we are more than just forgiven people, we are also people entrusted with the keys of heaven. We can open the door or lock it. So we must use the keys wisely.
Prayer
Father, sometimes what I think is a justified attitude of unforgiveness is really a misuse of the power you have given to me. Teach me today the responsibility of forgiveness.
