Today’s Devotion
Topic: Forgive Them! (1st Statement)
Text: Luke 23: 34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Amen
Today we begin a 7 day series on the 7 different statements the Lord Jesus made on the cross before He gave up His Spirit.
Beloved, from the night of His arrest to the cross, Jesus was really mistreated. Multitudes spat, yelled at and insulted him, calling him all manner of names. The soldiers who whipped and tore his flesh from his body, also manhandled Him miserably as He made His way to Golgotha. There on the “place of skulls”, they rid Him naked and nailed Him on a cross.
The pain must have been unbearable. The such that makes one want to curse and revenge. Yet we see Jesus demonstrate immeasurable compassion for the very people who had meted out such vile words and treatment.
His loving heart was so moved with compassion that He moved a step further from forgiving them, to asking Our father in Heaven to forgive them also. How wonderful?
Beloved, our daily lives are sometimes filled with situations of betrayal by the very people we trust and love. Sometimes the words, actions or otherwise of these so called loved ones bring us to a place of ridicule, shame, disappointment, pain, anger and resentment. These betrayals could be so grave that it seems impossible to forgive our offenders, not to even think of interceding for them.
However, being imitators of Christ, let’s be on our way to loving even our enemies and praying for them. The Lord Jesus is our standard. So that in every situation, no matter how offended or difficult it posses, we must forgive those who trespass against us and even pray for them.
Beloved, as week begin the PASSION WEEK today, please note that whenever FORGIVENESS becomes difficult, praying to God to forgive the person makes it easier for us to do so too. This is because if with all the pain and resentment we can still ask God to forgive the person from the depths of our hearts, it lightens the burden on us and makes it easier for us to do same. Besides, we have always needed God’s love to forgive our many ills too remember? Doing same for others mustn’t be too difficult.
Begin to pray therefore, that God gives you a compassionate heart to see beyond the hurts and pain caused you by others to be able to forgive them. Forgiveness is not an option for us, but the key to unlocking spiritual blessings.
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