Forgiveness: A Tale of Three Sons

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we are ever asked to give, yet it is at the very heart of the Gospel. Through Scripture and powerful stories of faith, we see that forgiveness is not only about releasing others—it’s about finding freedom for ourselves.

Joseph: Forgiveness and Freedom

Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and torn from his family. Yet, through years of hardship—in Potiphar’s house, in prison, and finally as a ruler in Egypt—Joseph remained faithful to God.

When famine brought his brothers to Egypt seeking food, Joseph held their lives in his hands. Instead of vengeance, he chose mercy. In Genesis 50, he told them: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Joseph saw that God’s purpose was greater than their betrayal. His forgiveness brought not only peace to his heart, but also life to a nation.

That is forgiveness plus freedom.

Corrie ten Boom: Forgiveness and God’s Strength

Centuries later, Corrie ten Boom—who survived a Nazi concentration camp where her sister died—faced a test of forgiveness. After the war, a former SS guard approached her, asking for forgiveness. She felt anger and bitterness, but prayed, “Jesus, help me!”

When she extended her hand, God filled her with a supernatural love. She later said it was the deepest experience of God’s love she ever knew. Corrie reminded us that forgiveness is not an emotion but an act of the will—empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Prodigal Son: Forgiveness and Restoration

Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son—a young man who squandered everything in rebellion. When he returned home, ashamed and broken, his father ran to embrace him. Instead of punishment, he received a robe, a ring, and sandals.

The father didn’t just forgive him—he restored him as a son. That is forgiveness plus restoration.

Jesus: Forgiveness and Eternal Life

And then there is the third Son—Jesus, the Son of God. He came into the world full of grace and truth, healing the sick, welcoming the outcast, and teaching about the Kingdom of God. Yet, despite His love and compassion, He was despised, rejected, and nailed to a cross. There, bearing the full weight of our sin and shame, Jesus prayed the unimaginable: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

At the Cross, forgiveness became more than just pardon—it became power. His death paid the debt of sin we could never repay, breaking the chains of guilt and shame. His resurrection opened the way for reconciliation with God, restoring what sin had broken and offering us not only a clean slate but a new life in Him.

Through Jesus, forgiveness is not simply an escape from judgment—it is an invitation into God’s family, the assurance of His presence now, and the promise of eternal life with Him forever.

Holding on to unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

Modern Stories of Forgiveness

Gladys Staines, after her missionary husband and two sons were brutally killed in India, declared: “I am not bitter or angry. Let us burn hatred and spread the flame of Christ’s love.”

More recently, Erika Kirk forgave the man accused of murdering her husband, saying: “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer is love—always love.”

These powerful testimonies remind us that forgiveness is possible—even in the darkest of situations—because of Christ.

The Danger of Unforgiveness

But what if we choose not to forgive?

• Unforgiveness blocks our prayers (Mark 11:25).

• Unforgiveness hinders our relationship with God (Matthew 5:23–24).

• Unforgiveness contradicts God’s nature (Psalm 86:5).

• Unforgiveness even threatens eternity itself (Matthew 6:14–15).

Holding on to unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

At the Cross, forgiveness became more than just pardon—it became power.

The Call to Forgive

Like Joseph, maybe you’ve been betrayed by people close to you. God calls you to forgive.Like Joseph’s brothers, maybe you carry guilt. God calls you to accept His forgiveness.Like the prodigal son, maybe you’ve wandered far. God calls you home.

At the foot of the Cross, everything changes. Jesus takes our guilt, shame, and sin, and in exchange gives us forgiveness, freedom, and restoration.

As John 3 reminds us: God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but to save it. That is the heart of forgiveness.

Is there someone you need to forgive today? Is there forgiveness you need to receive from God?

Don’t wait. Bring it to the Cross. Freedom and restoration await.

You can watch the full sermon on our YouTube channel here: Watch the Sermon