Forgiveness Isn’t Cheap
Saturday’s Verse:
From Genesis 50:17 NIV
‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Joseph’s brothers came to him burdened by fear. Years earlier, they had betrayed him, sold him into slavery, and deceived their father. Now Joseph held power in Egypt, and they feared he would finally repay their evil with evil.
But Joseph wept. His brothers still did not understand the mercy that had shaped his life. Joseph did not deny their sin, nor did he call evil good. Instead, he confessed that God had worked through even their wickedness for the preservation of many lives. And he spoke words of comfort: “Do not fear… I will provide for you and your little ones” (Genesis 50:19–21).
This is a glimpse of the greater mercy we receive in Christ. We come before God not with excuses, but with the truth: we have sinned against Him and against our neighbors. Yet, because of Jesus’ cross, we do not need to live in fear. The risen Christ does not seek revenge against repentant sinners. He speaks absolution: “Your sins are forgiven.”
Forgiveness is never cheap. It cost the Son of God His life. But because Christ has borne our guilt, forgiveness is freely given to us. And, having received such mercy, we are called to forgive others—not by pretending that wounds do not matter, but by entrusting judgment to God and refusing to let hatred rule our hearts.
Today, bring your guilt to Christ. Receive His forgiveness. Then ask Him for grace to extend that same mercy to someone who has wronged you.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Father, You have forgiven us through the suffering and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ. When guilt troubles us, remind us that Christ has fully paid for our sin. When we are hurt by others, give us strength to forgive as we have been forgiven. I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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