Let Yourself Off The Hook!

“But go and tell his disciples—especially Peter—that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."  Mark 16:7

It was a dark time in the disciples’ lives as they witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus whom they loved. But that was not the end of the story! His empty tomb had been discovered.  Jesus rose from the dead as He said He would.  Now He was sending word to His disciples that He would meet them in Galilee.  He sent the good news with instructions to make sure Peter knew to come. Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied knowing Jesus and I’m sure he had buried himself in shame.  But Jesus is in the forgiving business.  It did not matter to Him how much Peter had done wrong.  Jesus came to SAVE, not condemn!

In fact, one evening our prayer team leader told us that if Judas had not hung himself, Jesus would have called for him, too!  When I heard that, a surge of hope shot through me!  I thought about all the wrong doing in my life.  Our prayer leader then said to me, “Let yourself off the hook!’  I wept with the realization that Jesus long ago “let me off the hook.”  Now I only needed to forgive myself!  My tears washed away years of sorrow, guilt and feeling like I had to “make up” for my mistakes, particularly with my children.  I had raised them as a single mother the best I knew how.

I pictured Judas reaching up and loosening the noose from his neck and running freely to Jesus’ forgiveness.  The enemy wants to keep us bound in unforgiveness, but we can be freed, too!  Ask Jesus right now to help you with any unforgiveness towards others AND towards yourself.   He WILL do it for you!