Even in Mark's spare account, the energy and force of God's forgiveness whistles in the empty tomb's wind. Since Noah, forgiveness is God's will. For us to offer or receive forgiveness, our bodies and minds must empty, like the tomb. Emotions and feelings need time to be experienced, time to subside. Expectations are often unknown until they are not met.
Secret desires are sometimes slow to rise, until leavened with disappointment.
As much a physical enterprise as an attitude, the force of forgiveness requires a site for launching, a place to land. Our bodies and our minds can turn to understanding, compassion's cornerstone. The Son's command to the Father anchors the cross to Noah's covenant in rainbow arc, this force of forgiveness flung g across heaven and earth. Minka Shura Sprague is Professor of New Testament Biblical Languages at New York Theological Seminary New York City.