Forgiveness

What is Sin, and how does the Atonement/Reconciliation of Christ work?

Went over a bunch of models for this today in my Theology class - see what I mean that my school work can be devotional?

The story/question idea that came up was forgiveness. The professor told a story of a murderer who killed the daughter of a woman, who confessed his wrong, and appologized in court to the mother. The mother forgave the murderer, shook his hand and embraced the man who killed her daughter.
This activity only happened because of the willingness of the man to admit to his wrong, otherwise the forgiveness that she offered wouldn’t have made any sence.
So if we killed God’s son, we can only accept God’s forgiveness through our own admission of Guilt. Leads you to the story of our sinful nature as the bridge to Christ.
What do you all think?

Some News Articles about Forgiveness:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1898848,00.html

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06030306.html

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/04/14/paralyzed.girl.ap/index.html