Forgiveness...

"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34

This was Jesus' first cry from the cross. When He was able, in the midst of pain and suffering at an unbearable level, this is what He said. True forgiveness is not in our nature, but it is in God's.
Forgiveness sounds like a wonderful idea until it is us who have to do it. How can we forgive someone who keeps hurting us? Breaking a promise? Must we forgive when someone is out to destroy us? Or when we are the wronged party? Nowhere are those answers seen more clearly than at the cross. Now as Easter approaches, my hope is to look at the cross with the fullness of what it represents and offers...forgiveness from the One who never wronged and extended freely to all who have.

All through Jesus' ministry we see Him as one who forgives, heals, restores. Paralytics, mutes, demon-posses all seek out Jesus for healing and ultimately Jesus forgave their sins.
Erwin Lutzer in his book, "Cries from the Cross' explains it this way...
"Jesus explained that He had the right to forgive sins because He had the credentials of deity." He goes on to say: "Now at the cross, He did not exercise this divine prerogative. He asked the Father to do what He had previously done. Sacrificed as the Lamb of God, He refused the role of deity. He was God to be sure, but chose to suspend His divine rights. He so completely identified with us that He temporarily withdrew Himself from a position of authority. Yet His heart was burdened for those who had instigated and committed history's greatest crime. He prayed that the unforgivable might be forgiven."

One of the first things I notice in His cry is that relationship "Father" He says. When it is impossible for us to forgive, that is what we who have a heavenly Father must cry out also. It is as we realize how difficult it is, maybe impossible in our own strength, that we ask for the strength to forgive. When man had done his worst, Jesus prayed, not for justice but for mercy. He called out to His Father and pleaded that His enemies would be exempt from the rightful, just punishment they deserved. And He prayed not after His wounds had healed but while they were yet open. Can we cry out "Father" when our wounds are clearly exposed? When our sorrow is at it's greatest? Can we pray for forgiveness for those who are out to hurt and destroy us? What about hurt our kids? Often I can say hurt me all you want but don't touch my children! Yet here was the Son of God crying out for mercy for His and the Father's enemies.
Roman's 12:19 "Do not take revenge...but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay' says the Lord"

Here, on the cross, Jesus who has all right and power to judge and destroy chose instead to ask forgiveness on the behalf of those who deserved it. And just so we don't remove ourselves to far from this scene...our names are included in this scene. He is pleading to the Father to extend forgiveness that goes beyond that moment. Jesus often prayed that way.

John 17:20 Jesus prayed " My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes
"Now we stand as sinners at the foot of His cross, and now a puzzle difficult to understand is solved: Jesus Christ, the innocent one, prays as God's vengeance on the godless is fulfilled...the one who bore the vengeance, He alone was allowed to ask for the forgiveness of the godless."
That is you and me...what a wonderful example for us to live by. Love is at it's greatest when forgiveness is extended. The lowly are exalted when retribution is set aside. But a question still lingers...
Should we forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness? Yes...when we grant forgiveness we release our bitterness to God and commit our adversaries to Him. The goal of forgiveness is always reconciliation, but if the other party does not forgive then we must release them to God. We will find freedom and we can trust God with the outcome.
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Naples Girls meet tomorrow
10-12 pm
Brunch and discussion of chapter 1 and 2