Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
At the CROSS, Christ teaches us that forgiveness is priority. No pride could hold him down, No pain could silence His prayer: FATHER FORGIVE THEM…What pride, what pain , what experience , can silence your forgiveness?
Amidst the mocking crowds , the treacherous pain , He still says : Forgive them!! Steven took on the same attitude, imitating Christ, amidst the stoning He said : Lord, don’t hold this sin against them , for they know not what they are doing ( Acts 7:59-60).
Is there any one who is not deserving of forgiveness? I have heard many utter: I can’t forgive, it was too great a thing she did!! But my mind brought me to think, are we deserving of His forgiveness, how many times have we countlessly fallen away but He has still embraced us, like a father embrace a child? Inspite of our hideous acts , still He looks at us flawlessly, so who are you not to forgive another , there is nothing too grave for you to forgive!!
Nehemiah 9:17
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
As He is , so are we in this world. He is God full of mercy and loving kindness and we take after His nature. We know it’s not easy but once we look at it in God’s eyes, we are Able to move that extra mile, to love and to forgive, become selful-concerned about bettering yourself without disregarding others, even God is , He forgives us for Himself, because that’s who He is, that’s what defines Him.
In like manner, think about yourself, in forgiving, bitterness is ridden off, it is that bitterness that can tear you apart until you are crushed in your own unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is the route of all bitterness, which yields a crushed spirit yet a crushed spirit dries up the bones, another version says: a crushed spirit suffers sickness and depression ( Proverbs 17:22).
And bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many become defiled ( Hebrews 12:15)
Forgiveness is medicine to your spirit, it frees you a great deal, and breaks the bonds, certainly someone I know held a grudge with another, Her opportunistic doors were opened only after she openly reached out to her and expressed her forgiveness.
Thus, Jesus’ statement about forgiveness wasn’t just for the sake of forgiveness, rather, it was to demonstrate that forgiveness is possible no matter how much pain you are experiencing. If He has rendered to us forgiveness, freely we have received it and freely should we give it.
Prophetic Utterance:
I express my gratitude to you for giving me the Grace for forgiveness, allowing me to release negative emotions and grant forgiveness to those deserving and those I deemed not deserving.
Halleluya
Guiding Text:
Ephesians 4:32
³²And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.