A Forgiving Heart – March 30, 2003
There’s something so forgiving about freshly fallen snow. No longer visible are the unraked leaves, brown patches of lawn, and roofs in need of repair. In one merciful swipe of winter’s wand, the snow falls and all is white and wonderful.
A blanket of freshly fallen snow has long been a symbol of forgiveness. The prophet Isaiah taught, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”¹ Because, ultimately, forgiveness is a gift from God that descends upon all who are truly repentant, whatever forgiveness we extend to others is a reflection of the forgiveness God so generously showers upon us.
The biblical account of Jacob and Esau contains a poignant example of forgiveness. When Esau first discovers that Jacob took his birthright blessing, Esau is enraged and even thinks of killing his brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob flees to another town.² Over the next several years, they both do a lot of growing up. Esau marries and fathers children, and so does Jacob.
After many years, Jacob prays for reconciliation with his brother and decides to initiate a reunion.³ Jacob sends messengers to present Esau with generous gifts and to invite Esau to meet him.4 Esau accepts the invitation, and they come together. Upon seeing Jacob bow down before him, Esau “[runs] to meet him, and [embraces] him, and [falls] on his neck, and [kisses] him: and they [weep].”5
A full and lasting forgiveness takes place. In fact, it appears to have taken place well before they reunite. Each seems to have cleansed his heart of animosity and done the real soul-work of forgiveness. Independent of the other’s attitude or response, they welcomed the peace of God into their lives.
So often we halt the process of forgiveness because we think it depends on the other party’s apology or sincerity or demonstration of loyalty. But as this sweet reunion between estranged brothers demonstrates, forgiveness is not dependent upon another person’s repentance. God will bless us to be able to forgive. Just as we welcome the peaceful beauty God bestows every time it snows, so the peace of a forgiving heart descends upon all who sincerely seek it.
Program #3841
- Isaiah 1:18.
- See Genesis 27:41-43, 28:5.
- See Genesis 32:3-11.
- See Genesis 32:13-16.
- Genesis 33:4.