Friday // 9th August 2024
POWER OF TOTAL FORGIVENESS?
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.
Luke 6:27
It is often easier to forgive what is done to us personally than what is done to those we love. But it is still very hard to forgive those who have hurt us directly, especially when they do not feel the slightest twinge of conscience. If our offender would put on sackcloth and ashes as a show of repentance, it would be much easier to forgive them.
But remember, at the foot of Jesus's cross no one seemed very sorry. A perverse glee filled the faces of the people who demanded His death: "Crucify him!' they shouted" (Mark 15:13). Furthermore, "those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, `So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"' (Mark 15:29-30). They shouted, "Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe" (Mark 15:32). What was Jesus's response? "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
This must be our response as well. Jesus could have said, "I forgive you." But such words might have been misinterpreted and wasted. So, Jesus asked the Father to forgive them, a far more grand gesture. Asking the Father to forgive them showed that not only had He forgiven them and released them from their guilt, but also that He had asked His Father not to punish or take revenge on them. It was not a half-hearted prayer; Jesus meant it. And it was gloriously answered! These offenders were among the very ones Peter addressed on the Day of Pentecost and who were converted. Acts 2:14-41.) Hallelujah 🙌🏻
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin
