As an example of forgiveness, the parable of the prodigal son fits well in today’s life’s style. It shows God’s forgiveness all the time we repent of our sins. The prodigal son, while continuing in his life of sin, emerging deeply into the world’s pleasure, remained separated from his father’s goodness. Although, having been forgiven, he could not enjoy the benefit of it, until he came to himself, acknowledging his sin to God first, and then to his father, who was waiting for his return at any moment, to restore him to his right of sonship. Many times, we do sin against the love of God, even as Christians. In our rebellion against Him, we separate ourselves from Him, as a spoiled child does, when he doesn’t get what he wants. Lost in our sins, and fearing the outcome, we embrace guilt and cannot let go of it, for not understanding the greatness of the love of God demonstrated in His forgiveness. We remain right there where Satan wants us to be, carrying the feeling of guilt for a long time, as if paralyzing us and separating us even further from God’s forgiveness. The Prophet Isaiah said, for our sins of iniquity and guilt, He was bruised (Isaiah 53). What more do we need to do in order to receive God’s love and walk in it, believing that His forgiveness had a price tag no one else could ever pay for it, but His only Son.
Forgiveness shone on the cross at the time YAHSHUA prayed for those who were crucifying Him: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke23:34). This prayer was one of the most beautiful prayers uttered on earth. While one of the criminals who were crucified with Him kept up a railing at Him, saying, Are You not the Christ? Rescue Yourself and us. The other criminal reproved him saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you yourself are under the same sentence of condemnation and suffering the same penalty? And we indeed suffer it justly, receiving the due reward of our actions; but this Man has done nothing out of the way. Then he said to YAHSHUA, Lord, remember me when You come in your kingly glory (Luke 23:39-42). Yes, the second criminal expressed acknowledgement of his belief of Whom YAHSHUA was and received forgiveness at that moment. At his request, YAHSHUA said, Today, you will be with Me in Paradise (23:43). Forgiveness opened the door of heaven at the moment the criminal repented. He found grace to be taken up to heaven where he would meet the Lord once again. YAHSHUA committed His Spirit to His Father and died after He promised the thief a place in Paradise. It must have been glorious for that criminal, when he arrived in heaven seeing YAHSHUA, his Lord, in His glorified body! Forgiven even at the last hours of his life, he was not denied heaven, because of his repentance.
YAHSHUA’S prayer for those who were crucifying Him resonated in heaven in a very intensified sound of mercy and grace into the throne of God, in an agreement of the Trinity- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit for the salvation of mankind! At the reaction of nature in an earthquake and all that happened at YAHSHUA’S death, the centurion and those who were with him, frightened and filled with awe, said, TRULY, THIS WAS GOD’S SON! (Matt.17:54) Salvation then came for all of them who were prayed for. There must have been quite a celebration in heaven on that day for them, according to YAHSHUA’S words, when He said, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one wicked person who repents than ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance and He also said, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10; 15:7). That day, while on the cross, His mission was accomplished. He confirmed it by saying, IT IS FINISHED! When He uttered these words, the entire heaven said, Amen! God accepting the sacrifice of His Son, echoed, IT IS FINISHED! And we were reconciled with Him and positioned as His children, that is, all who believed in His name. the power of forgiveness was expressed and men were delivered from eternal death, Praise God!
Light from the Word 