The Miracle of Forgiveness

John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
***
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to this passage, seems to be the ability to declare the forgiveness of sins. If you recall, on multiple occasions Jesus demonstrated how this miracle, the miracle of forgiveness, was much more profound and powerful than physical healing. Physical healing, although wonderful and certainly indicative of God's goodness, is not lasting because our current bodies are mortal. Forgiveness which comes from the Holy Spirit is the ultimate act of healing, in a sense cleansing us of our permanent, spiritual leprosy. When was the last time you told someone that their sins were forgiven by God? Do you believe that God has breathed His Holy Spirit into you and that you have the authority to do what Jesus empowered the disciples to do? I believe that the miracle of forgiveness is essential to building authentic community. Jesus, as our King, has invited us into a loving Kingdom, a Kingdom community where all are forgiven and free. We are his agents of forgiveness in the world, welcoming people into that safe place.