going around forgiving sins

Today we read in Luke 7:36-8:3 from the One Year Bible. A "sinful" woman comes to see Jesus as He's eating with a Pharisee. Simon, the Pharisee, thinks that Jesus doesn't know what kind of woman she is because He's allowing her to touch Him. What Simon doesn't realize is that Jesus knows what kind of woman she is, and what kind of man Simon is, even though Simon doesn't know it himself.

Again, we see Jesus forgive her sin, without her even confessing them or asking forgiveness. That's something we have a hard time getting into our heads - that God isn't withholding forgiveness from us, waiting for us to beg Him to forgive us. He WANTS to forgive us. He's dying to forgive us - which we celebrate literally this holy week. God has done everything possible to bring us forgiveness for our many sins (and those of us who think we're without sin are the ones who need to confess the most). WE are the ones holding out. Holding on to our resentment. Our pride. Our grudges.

When we let go, and forgive others... God's forgiveness rushes into our lives, filling us with love and holiness.

We pray, "Our Father who art in heaven - forgive us our trespasses (notice that it's "US OUR", not "me my") as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Thank You, God, for doing everything possible to free us of our sins. Help us to let go.