Some years back there was a story of a broken-hearted father who took out an ad in the Madrid newspaper. It read:
“Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father.”
The next day scores of young men named Paco were there, each hoping it was his father who said, “I love you. All is forgiven. Come home.”
After the resurrection and Jesus’ 2 previous appearances to the disciples, one of the disciples was still paralyzed in his faith—Peter. He couldn’t move forward because one thing held him imprisoned with chains stronger than any man could ever forge. He was confined by his own condemnation. And only Jesus could set him free.
In John 21 (see yesterday’s post here for the passage) we read about the gentle opening of the prison doors by Jesus and the baby steps Peter eventually felt empowered to take that would lead him out of bondage.
Forgiveness is man’s greatest need and God’s greatest deed!
* Special thanks to Jon Courson for his insights into this passage!