Nothing beats God’s grace to forgive
Only today I remembered that Jesus Christ came to save us, not with trumpets, fanfares, wars and skirmishes, but by the love of a weak, crushed and broken human being who was asked by his father to obey a horrible and punishing death. .
Imagine what Christ endured during those fateful and agonizing last twelve hours. Such is his power to forgive, that he resisted insulting the Roman soldiers and spitting on them; instead, he forgave them on the spot, much to his utter confusion. The only thing they could attribute Jesus’ response to was that he must be crazy. He seemed crazy. As for the Jewish political leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the scribes and other adherents, they could not see the forest for the trees. Finally, Pilate himself did not know what to do; he asked Jesus, “What is truth?” – Clearly, he couldn’t. watch.
only those who can watch the truth can be seen. Jesus did not come to redeem the world in the way the world expected; he came to redeem the world spiritually; a to give when others require a commander to drink; love even when completely rejected as Peter did with the Lord; Not to condemn or even betrayed with a kiss. No one supported Jesus during those final hours, except perhaps anecdotally, Simon of Cyrene, who helped carry his cross, though even part of that account is debatable. Jesus’ love is so much like a father’s love: unconditional.
Life can seem downright unfair from time to time, but one fact remains; God in Jesus understands. In the deepest pain of the tragedy, the one who endured more pain than we could ever imagine, understands, understands.
Another plain truth is this. Only when we choose to accept God’s forgiveness can we come to terms with our painful past…through God’s grace, it’s nothing we can do. When we know God’s forgiveness, we can easily forgive others.
There is no joy like the joy of the Lord. He gave his life so that we may live free; free from whatever life may choose to throw at us. It’s also a ticket-to-ride to build a life we always wanted but were afraid to try. He sets us free to love before it’s too late!
Jesus obeyed his father. He did it for you. He did it for me. He wants everyone to experience the Father’s heart of grace, the free and priceless gift. The Spirit of him lives; you just have to look at a genuine follower of God to see.
Imagine a rejected God who would never reject you. Now that is amazing love.
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All rights reserved throughout the world.