He was betrayed, rejected, falsely accused, mocked, crucified. All of this by the very people He came to save—including some of His closest friends. Jesus knows first hand how cruel this world can be.

But His response was forgivenss: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:33-34).

Jesus responds to you and me with the same love. All we need to do is simply receive it. That’s called grace. Then leave behind the heavy burden of guilt and shame.