John 20:23 (NKJV)

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

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Bible Commentary

John 20:23 is a Bible verse in the New Testament where Jesus is imparting the greatest secret to success.

If there was just one thing we could learn from the cross, it is this: God’s mercy is far greater than anything we as humans could ever know, do or feel.

Not only did God meticulously design and create every part of our body and soul and breathe life into us, but He sent His Beloved Son to suffer great persecution, torture and crucifixion at our hands, in order to communicate and display the greatest love gesture ever known. (John 3:16)

Though we turned our backs on our Creator, chose false gods instead of Him, ignored and dishonored Him, and did not believe Him or His Word, He still chose to show us His love.

His mercy is so much greater than anything we can comprehend. The cross is symbolic of that immense love and forgiveness.

Webster’s dictionary describes “mercy” like this: compassion that holds back punishment even when justice demands it.

God holds back the intense pain of His heartache over man’s rejection of Him and withholds His anger and disappointment over the vile and offensive behavior of His children toward one another.

What we deserve is justice, but instead we get His mercy…the cross.

In John 20:23, Jesus is revealing the very foundation of Who He is. He is love. He is mercy. This is our example.

A Critical Spirit

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. John 20:23

This Bible verse is the epitome of mercy. Jesus gives us the gigantic responsibility and privilege of granting forgiveness to others…or not.

Just as God had a choice of whether or not to grant us forgiveness, He gives us the choice of whether or not to grant someone else forgiveness.

This is the secret to any successful relationship. And let’s face it, we can’t go through life without other people, so we must face this decision every single day.

–Do we forgive the person who cuts us off in traffic, or let it get under our skin?

–Do we extend mercy to our co-worker who talked about us behind our back, or fume with resentment?

–Do we forgive our spouse who made fun of us in front of friends, or tuck a secret grudge into our heart?