I want to share a true story about a 16-year-old who got drunk and broke into a farmhouse while the farmer was on vacation. After breaking every window in the house, the angry 16-year-old found the car keys and tore the farmer’s cars through the freshly planted crops. When that game got boring, he lit the car on fire and as the car burned, he rolled it into the big expensive combine.

A couple years later the young man gave his life to Jesus. He joined a church and prayed for forgiveness. Feeling led by the Holy Spirit, the boy went to the police and told them about the string of crimes he had committed – all for which he had never been caught. He told the police he was willing to do whatever needed to be done to atone for his actions. The police told him to go to each victim and confess – starting with the farmer.

The young man trembled as he knocked, and the farmer, a giant-of-a-man with monstrous hands and fingers the size of sausages, answered the door. Blurting it out, the young man said, “I came here today to ask for your forgiveness and to tell you that I am so sorry for all the harm I caused you. I’m willing to go to jail, or to work for you for free – but mostly I wanted to tell you that I am truly sorry.” Before the boy could finish his speech, the big farmer reached out and put his hand on the young man’s shoulder and said, “Thank you for telling me, but I want you to know that I’ve already forgiven you.”

Would it delight you to know that the young man became a pastor, who shares his story freely – all while teaching about the amazing grace and forgiveness that our Lord Jesus offers us. And that’s exactly what Jesus wants you to know. “Your sins are forgiven.” ^{Lk7:48, Mt 9:5}

Do you feel that huge weight being lifted off you! Yes, in Jesus mighty name, the farmer forgave the boy, and in Jesus mighty name, God forgives me and you. I forgive you. These three small words sure have a lot of power. Through the mighty name of Jesus, who can you forgive today?