At His death, the earthquake shook the ground, and thunder and lightening rent the sky. His tormentors were no longer laughing. I laughed. "Ah ha! You aren't laughing now, are you? Serves you right!" The moment I uttered those words, I remembered His words, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus forgave the men who took pleasure in torturing Him, laughing as He lay in agony. His words of forgiveness must have astounded those standing close enough to hear. Tortured beyond what was humanly possible to endure, and yet asking God to forgive those responsible. In a culture conditioned to an eye for an eye it must have seemed unthinkable. Even in our kinder, gentler society this is hard.
Imagine a Holocaust survivor forgiving the camp commandant and their guards. And what about the men who tortured Daniel Pearl in such a horrific manner? Forgive them as well? I struggle with the idea, yet, this is exactly what Jesus has done. As for myself, I forgave my ex-husband for those years of abuse - and meant it - but I did not ask God to forgive him, nor have I prayed for him. I fell two steps short of God's example.
Easter will never be the same. I can no longer just pass off the mental idea of they mocked Him, or deny the other reality: had He had died in any other way, it would not have been so life changing, thought provoking, heartrending. It leaves me with no other choice than to work harder at truly living my Christian faith.
Even though living for your faith and with faith may be a struggle at times, you brought up some extremely beneficial points for all of us to remember; forgiveness is essential in any given circumstance. I tried desperately to forgive a hurt that caused myself great trauma many years ago...time, has a way of healing...Teresa of Avila said, "All things must pass," and they all will. Everything! Troubles, worries, anxieties, wounds, and hurts, will all inevitably pass.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post Cecilia. You are doing just fine!
Thanks, John. Yes, forgiveness is the key to living with joy and peace in this world. So often the only one suffering from our anger is ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThrough Divine intervention I was able to forgive my ex-husband for all the abuse, but not to the extent Jesus forgave. I let go of the anger and the resentment, but I don't think I have ever prayed for him. I didn't ask God to forgive Him. God has, I know, but I haven't asked. Maybe it is time.
Jesus really did set an incredible example. I often think about "what we bind on earth is bound in heaven" when I am tangled in unforgiveness.May grace be yours abundantly this week Cecilia. Good reminder for all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcia and may God bless you abundantly as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother great reminder to be more like Him, even when insult is added to injury. Thank you, Cecilia.
ReplyDeleteAmen, amen...yes, and I think of Corrie Ten Boom, I just can't imagine, and yet, it was Christ in her that allowed her to forgive...He has set the example and paid the price on the cross
ReplyDeleteYes, Jolina. That is the hard part. Thanks for stopping in and commenting. Blessings to you and your baby girl.
ReplyDeleteJanette, I'll have to look up Corrie's story. I know of her condition, but not the story behind it. Forgiveness is hard when the hurt is deep.
ReplyDeleteForgiveness can be so very hard. Yet, when we realize the extreme forgiveness that Jesus gave, we have no other choice if we want to live life to the fullest.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this.
Forgiveness can be so very hard. Yet, when we realize the extreme forgiveness that Jesus gave, we have no other choice if we want to live life to the fullest.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this.