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When the movie “The Passion of the Christ” first came to the theatres I was very young in my walk with the Lord. I remember thinking as I set there in the theatre watching the scourging He took, “wait until you stand before Him!” In my mind I was thinking revenge and pay back. I liked the thought of how small and foolish they would feel when they stood before Jesus in judgment.
And then:“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
WOH WOH WOH!!! Wait a minute here! Stop!
Time Out!
FOREGIVE THEM???
I tell you that was an eye opening experience. Here I am thinking revenge and pay back while Jesus has a heart of forgiveness! A few weeks back someone stole the tailgate off my truck. What the first thing that came to my mind? “I wish I was a cop who caught them so I can throw them into jail.” Not to keep them from steeling someone else’s property, but pay back. I / we must remember the wonderful example Jesus gave us to follow. Forgiveness.
Lord help me have a forgiving heart and thank you for going to the cross so I may be forgiven and everyone else who believes in you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44 NKJV)
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34 NKJV)
“For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32 NKJV)
9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13 NKJV)
I pray all of you have a blessed Easter.
Amen. And a happy Easter to you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you also!
ReplyDeleteHi Ken,
ReplyDeleteI too was blown away by the movie the Passion of Christ. It had a lasting profound effect on me. Jesus tells us to forgive and love, to leave judgment up to the Father Who knows all. God, in His perfection, knows who's heart is rotten to the core, but most people are just so deceived by Satan they just don't know any better. When we show love and forgiveness when they are mean to us then that might just be the ticket they need to see the love of God and repent of their sins and accept the gift of Jesus' death on the cross.
Great post, thank you!
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It's amazing, isn't? That in that moment, Jesus could think of forgiveness. What love!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Easter, Ken!
Happy Easter, Ken! That kind of thought struck me when I was young in my walk, as well. Now, I weep for them.
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord bless you in every way.
Thank you Clint, Allison, Child of God, Lisa and Emily for your comments and have a blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteKen
Thank you for your God centered posts. I read the recent ones you have posted since I last visited here.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the blog you mentioned in your April 15 post - Laboring in the Lord.
Forgiveness is not a natural thing for us - fallen Creation thinks in terms of getting even, or paying back... an eye for an eye kind of thing.
But in the kingdom, we have an upside down scheme of things ... and I know forgiveness is hard to go, it goes against our normal reaction when we are wronged or offended.
That is why I appreciated the fact that Jesus demonstrated it so graphically for us on the cross as He was dying.
The Mercy Prayer, Father forgive them for they know now what they do, is a prayer I want to pray often. Not condoning the wrong things others do, but releasing myself from the burden of expecting redress, or my "just dues.". It releases me from a heavy burden of expecting to always be treated well.
Blessings be yours as we look forward to Resurrection Sunday.
Lidj
I loved the scene in the Passion where Jesus cries out,"Forgive them," and the Roman centurion takes off his helmet and kneels and say, "Surely this is the Son of God." Jesus' mercy and forgiveness speaks volumes about who He is.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting that we can't quite comprehend fully the depth of Jesus' work on the cross - or the forgiveness He offered - until we grab onto the horror of what He went through in our heart of hearts?
ReplyDeleteHe not only forgave those who crucified Him - He forgave us - He forgave me...
Yes, Ken - I also pray for a heart that fully understands the undeserved forgiveness I received from Him (and that I still do) - so that I can turn to others and pass it on.
Wishing you a wonder-full Easter morning!
He is risen. He is risen indeed!
GOD BLESS!
Awesome. Thank you for sharing Ken. Blessings.
ReplyDelete@Crown of Beauty- I agree Lidj, forgiveness is hard, but holding on to unforgivness eats at us while forvining another sets us free.
ReplyDelete@Karen- I love that scene too. It is hard to grasp Jesus forgiving them after what they did to Him. But it does show us who He is.
@Sharon Kerby- Yes He forgave me too! I am just as guilty for sending Him to the cross.
@Just Be Real- You are welcome!
Thank you and I hope you all had a blessed Easter Sunday.
Ken