12-Steps (or less!) to Forgiveness
Matthew 26:36 - 46
• Forgiveness is a process I chose to begin to
stop punishing someone for something they
have done or said that has hurt me or
someone else that I care about.
1. When it comes to forgiveness, our objective
must be to take-up a future orientation.
– 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
– Philippians 3:12-14
– Galatians 2:20
2. Jesus identified the betrayals, denials, and
abandonments that would be committed
against him.
3. Having identified his griefs, Jesus was able to
grieve them. Yet, Jesus grieved before the
Lord not at his offenders.
4. Jesus’ grief did not consume him. He
balanced his grief with the responsibilities
and calling God had placed upon his life.
• He did not avoid the Garden.
• He did not avoid the upper room.
5. Jesus surrendered His will to the purposes of
God – even though it meant being wounded
unjustly by others. Nothing is impossible for
God -- even bringing His greater purposes out
of our pain.
– Matt 26:39
– John 12:27-28
– Romans 8:28
6. Jesus looked at those at the cross (and his
wounds) from the perspective of those who
had sinned against Him.
– Luke 23:34 (NASB) 34 But Jesus was saying,
"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what
they are doing…
7. Jesus confessed his feelings towards God – in
Garden and on the cross.
– Matt 26:44, 3x; 27:46
8. Forgiveness is a choice we make just like
Jesus chose to go to the cross. This is a lifejourney process to forgiveness.
– John 10:17-18
– Matt 26:46, Arise, let us be going; behold, the
one who betrays Me is at hand.”
– Matt 18:21, Up to 70 x 7.
9. Jesus extended forgiveness to the guilty; but
only after He had grieved, and not too
quickly.
– Luke 23:34, Father, forgive them…
– Do not expect to forget the wounds inflicted
upon you. Rev 5:16
10. Do not expect to forget the wounds inflicted
upon you.
– Rev 5:16, The Lamb Jesus is “standing as if slain.”
12. Pray that God will bless those who have hurt
you.
– Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They
will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed
down, shaken together, and running over. For by
your standard of measure it will be measured to
you in return."