Forgiveness can be a tricky word. At least our understanding of it. Intrinsic to the common understanding of the word is the idea of pardon, of being excused from an offense.

Is this what Jesus came to do? To offer humanity a pardon from sin? An absolution? To excuse us from sin’s offense and protect us from his Father’s supposed wrath? Or did the forgiveness he came to bring include something deeper and more wonderful: the sending away of sin itself!