Christian Newsletter Online

^{Luke 23:34, “}Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

Happy Easter!  This is the time of year when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

We walk around saying, “Happy Easter.”  Do you think we take time to really consider all Jesus did for us during His last days on earth?

When concentrating on the idea that Jesus walked to Calvary to be crucified after he was mocked, slapped, blasphemed against, lied about,  and spit upon and how  He could still say something so  benevolent like what we know He said.  He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

I don’t know about you but I’ve gone through far less pain than our Lord and even though there have been times when I could say what our Lord said there are times when I just say, “O God,  You said vengeance belongs to You.  God, please forgive me but there are so many times when I think I’d feel happy in my heart to see some of those evil doers get a reward for the evil they have done.”  I’ve even gone so far as to look up Scriptures that tell how God has dealt with evil doers. 

Did you know that even after Jesus asked Our Heavenly Father to forgive those people he continued to suffer?  His clothes were parted to be given as a prize.  They continued to deride Him.  They kept mocking Him as He was hanging on that cross for our sins.  They told him to save Himself.  Even one of the villains that hung beside him showed no fear of God when facing his own death. 

Maybe the other criminal heard Jesus speak of forgiving others while he hung near Jesus on that cross.  Maybe the love filled words of Jesus compelled the other convict to seek God’s mercy as he was facing what a man knows must come when his body is rapidly decaying.

My own heart aches as I consider how imperfect I am.  My Lord could take it.  He did have the grace within Himself to ask God to forgive those who had maliciously done Him great harm. 

To take up our cross and to deny ourselves is not an easy task.  Only God can heal us from the pain we suffer at the hands of others.  God is the Only One that can help us forgive as He has forgiven. 

When we forgive others we are denying ourselves of the right to strike out against those that have harmed us.  It isn’t easy to forgive especially when it all looks so wrong. We naturally want vengeance and vindication. 

We see movies where the bad guys get what is coming to them and we rejoice.  It really does make our hearts sort of happy to know that the rotten spirited folks can’t hurt anyone any longer.  I have even had times when I pleaded with God asking Him to please keep evil ones from hurting people any more. 

The disciples of Jesus even wondered what would happen to the disciple that betrayed Jesus.  St. John Chapter 21 shows how the disciples made an  inquiry about the man that betrayed our Lord.   Jesus gave an answer that  seemed to be misinterpreted at first.  Jesus let them know that they should follow Him. Jesus even asked them what was it to them if the one who betrayed Him would tarry  till the Lord returns. 

It is my prayer that we can keep following our Lord doing what we know is right no matter what other people do.  It is insistent that we have our hearts right with God. 

Follow Jesus.  Forgive others. 

Trust God to tend to the ones that won’t get right with Him.  There were two criminals hanging next to Jesus.  Both of the scoundrels had an opportunity to seek mercy from God.  Which one do you want to be like? 

The Lord that hung on Calvary is able to help us say and do the right things.  Our hearts and minds belong to Jesus.  To serve the Lord with gladness every day of the year is what we are called to do.  To forgive as He forgave us is to deny ourselves. 

Bless the Lord at all times.  Let your mind take rest knowing He cares for you.  Your Saviour lives.  He will walk along side of you when you go through times of suffering.  He will not forsake you.  He will not fail you.  Nothing is able to separate you from the great love of God.