The Forgiveness Virus

April 20, 2020

Scripture

Jesus came and stood in their midst…. Thus, on seeing the Lord, the disciples were overjoyed. So Jesus again said to them, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And, saying this, he breathed upon them and says to them, “Receive a Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you let go, they are let go; those you hold fast, they have been held fast.”  (John 20:20-23 Hart)

The Forgiveness Virus

There was no social distancing in the Upper Room when Jesus made his two appearances to the apostles and other assorted members of the disciple group. He not only stood “among” them but at one point breathed on them.

In our current pandemic shutdown, the last thing we want is someone to unexpectedly appear right beside us and even worse to breathe on us. Fear of droplets that carry infection is top of most minds.

But what a gift it is to catch the virus of forgiveness. Based on my spiritual habits my breathing isn’t always forgiveness. Jesus offers at least two sorts of forgiveness here. The first is the opportunity to help others let go of sins and know they are forgiven and free to live without guilt and shame.

The second is Jesus’ desire for us to let go of stuff that is on our minds, both conscious and sub-conscious. Holding fast to bitter resentments is unhealthy for us and the one we resent doesn’t know anything about it. Let’s breathe in forgiveness from Jesus and breathe out by letting go “stuff” that prevents us loving the other.

A Prayer for Today

God of love and forgiveness, grateful as we are for the world we know and the universe beyond our understanding, we particularly praise you, whom eternity cannot contain, for coming to earth and entering time in Jesus.

For his life which informs our living, for his compassion which changes our hearts, for his clear speaking which contradicts our harmless generalities, for his enduring presence, his innocent suffering, his fearless dying, his rising to life breathing forgiveness, we praise you and worship him…. For Jesus’ sake