And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. [Luke 23:34 (ESV)]
In one of our small group sessions earlier this year, we heard the story of a man who spent more than twenty years imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. The evidence proving his innocence had been suppressed by the police and he was a bitter angry man. Sixteen years into his incarceration, he became a Christian but he still struggled with forgiveness. Knowing Jesus expected him to forgive the men whose lies had stolen his life, he couldn’t find the power to do so. How can we forgive someone who has deliberately hurt us, someone who isn’t even contrite or repentant? Vengeance, anger, retribution, and revenge come much easier than forgiveness and yet forgiveness is what God calls us to do.
It was when this prisoner read Jesus’ words on Calvary that he understood where the power to forgive lay—in God the Father. “Father, forgive them!” said our Lord as He hung on that cross. Like him, Jesus was an innocent man and yet He prayed for His executioners. His words were not those of anger or complaint but of pity and compassion. The sinless tortured one was praying for his sin-filled torturers. Mind you, the people for whom He was praying hadn’t asked for forgiveness; they were neither remorseful nor repentant. Many had eaten His bread, seen His miracles and heard him speak, but they’d chosen the criminal Barabbas over him. Mocking Him, the soldiers were gambling for his clothing. While blood was dripping down his forehead and seeping out of the wounds on his hands and feet, the suffering Jesus was praying for pardon not revenge; He didn’t ask for justice but for forgiveness. It was on the cross that radical forgiveness met radical injustice and triumphed. If our sinless Savior can forgive, how much more should we?
Jesus’ words on Calvary told this prisoner that he didn’t have to forgive under his own power but that forgiveness was possible through God’s power. Like Jesus, he prayed for those who had persecuted him and he was finally able to forgive. Truth eventually prevailed several years later when his conviction was overturned but he’d been made a free man many years earlier when he forgave those who wronged him so horribly. It was Alexander Pope who wrote, “To err is human, to forgive, divine.’” Indeed, it is.
The Holy Spirit, thank God, often enables people to forgive even though they are not sure how they did it. [Lewis B. Smedes]
Occasionally, bands of marauding Arameans would go out into neighboring nations. It was during one of those raids into Israel that they captured a young girl and brought her back to Aram. Picture her fear as she stood on the auction block and was sold to the highest bidder. This child, a spoil of war, became the servant to Naaman’s wife. The commander-in-chief of the army, Naaman developed leprosy. Had I been that girl, I probably would have rejoiced silently at his plight. He was the enemy; it was because of his soldiers that she’d been kidnapped and made a slave in a strange land. A lesser person would have thought Naaman deserved all the pain and misery he could get! Although it would have been easy to remain silent and watch him suffer, this nameless slave girl didn’t. Instead, she sang the praises of Elisha and told her mistress that Naaman should go to “the prophet who lives in Samaria” where he could be healed.
Although demons had no trouble recognizing Jesus, the people who were most knowledgeable about Scripture and best knew the Messianic prophecies often seemed blind to what was before them. In fact, even after hearing Jesus speak and watching Him heal, the Pharisees and scribes accused Him of being a demon. Why did they refuse to see what was right in front of them?
In a recent Doonesbury comic (written by Garry Trudeau), a pastor is explaining to the congregation what constitutes sin in the eyes of their church. The elders now will condone conduct such as, “lewdness, vulgarity, profanity, adultery, and sexual assault,” and exemptions from Christian values include, “greed, bullying, conspiring, boasting, lying, cheating, sloth, envy, wrath, gluttony and pride.” In addition, the church will overlook such things as, ”Biblical illiteracy, church non-attendance, and no credible sign of faith.” After the service, one church member says, “Lovin’ the lower bar, Pastor!” while another adds, “I feel like a freakin’ saint now!” Trudeau’s comic may be satire but it is closer to the truth than I care to admit.
Several years ago, there was a popular television program in which “Supernanny” Jo Frost would visit a home to help parents deal with the behavior problems of their children. She emphasized the need for both discipline and forgiveness. If children misbehaved or broke a rule after receiving a warning, they served a time-out on the “naughty step.” The parent clearly explained the reason for the discipline and the length of time they’d be sitting there. Once the sentence on the step had been served, the parent offered a second explanation for the discipline. An apology was requested which, once offered, was followed up by a kiss and cuddle and the incident was over and done.
Devotions of the Heart 