The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Episode #251 - Joby Martin // Why Forgiveness Sets You Free At Christmas
Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this poignant Christmas edition of The Daily Blade, Pastor Joby Martin offers a powerful reflection on forgiveness, emphasizing its transformative power during the holiday season. Drawing from Matthew 18 and personal insights, Joby encourages listeners to practice radical forgiveness—not simply as a feeling, but as an obedient act modeled by Christ Himself. This episode is designed to equip Christians, especially men, to win at Christmas by releasing the burdens of resentment and embracing the freedom found in forgiving others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Forgiveness as the Heart of Christmas

[00:20–01:40]

• Joby challenges the common saying “Jesus is the reason for the season”, redirecting focus toward those around us who need forgiveness as the actual reason Jesus came at Christmas.
• He explains:
  “Jesus came on a rescue mission to save sinners… because Jesus forgave you and me… we are called to forgive.” [00:45]

2. Biblical Framework for Forgiveness

[01:41–03:40]

• Joby reads Matthew 18:15–35, highlighting the parable of the unforgiving servant.
  • The story illustrates the vast mercy shown by the king (representing God) compared to the petty refusal to forgive by the servant (representing people).
  • Key quote from scripture:
    “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” – Jesus (Matthew 18:22) [02:15]
• Forgiveness is not about arithmetic but about a continual, generous act modeled on God’s forgiveness.

3. Practical Steps to Forgive

[03:41–05:00]

• Identify the Debt: Recognize who has hurt you and what was taken or owed.
• Name the Emotions: Write down the emotions attached to this hurt.
• Create a Debt Ledger: Be concrete about the injury before intentionally deciding to forgive.
• Memorable analogy:
  “When somebody has done you wrong and sinned against you, they have created a debt-debtor relationship… Like, if the person you can’t get along with this Christmas is your ex because she cheated on you, then she has created a debt–debtor relationship.” [04:23]

4. Resentment, Bitterness, and Freedom

[05:01–05:45]

• Joby warns that withholding forgiveness leads to bitterness:
  • “If you decide to withhold forgiveness, then that withholding of forgiveness will begin to ferment. And when things ferment, they stink. And you can get drunk on it.” [05:10]
• Resentment imprisons the non-forgiver, not the offender.

5. Forgiveness vs. Reconciliation

[05:46–06:10]

• Forgiveness is a unilateral commandment; reconciliation requires both forgiveness and repentance.
• “Forgiveness is a unilateral commandment. Reconciliation is something different. Reconciliation requires forgiveness and repentance. But regardless of what the person has done for you, because Christ has forgiven us, we must forgive one another.” [05:50]

6. Spiritual Ramifications

[05:55–06:18]

• Joby connects our struggle to forgive others (horizontal) with our trust in God’s forgiveness of us (vertical).
• “The Devil wants you to doubt forgiveness on a horizontal level because he wants you to doubt that God on a vertical level could forgive you.” [06:10]
• Emphasizes that, by forgiving, believers are set free, mirroring Christ’s forgiveness for humanity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joby Martin:
  “The actual reason for the season is the people that you need to forgive.” [00:34]
• On the cost of forgiveness:
  “When we do that, we will be the ones that are actually set free.” [05:45]
• A practical warning:
  “Anytime somebody walks around with resentment and bitterness in their heart, it is because often there’s been a lack of forgiveness.” [05:21]

Important Timestamps

• 00:20 – Joby introduces the Christmas forgiveness challenge.
• 01:41 – Reading from Matthew 18:15–35, parable of the unforgiving servant.
• 03:41 – Joby offers concrete steps to practice forgiveness.
• 05:10 – Analogy of withheld forgiveness fermenting into resentment.
• 05:46 – Distinguishing forgiveness from reconciliation.
• 06:10 – Spiritual connection between forgiving others and believing God’s forgiveness.

Conclusion

Joby leaves listeners with a practical and spiritual exhortation for Christmas:
“To win this year at Christmas, I implore you to forgive. Because Christ has forgiven us.” [06:17]

This episode is a heartfelt, challenging call for believers to embody the heart of Christmas—freedom and reconciliation through forgiveness—regardless of the situation or season.