MAY 19

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

Luke 17:4

“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Matthew 6:15

“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Psalm 32:1

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.”

Psalm 106:1

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Isaiah 27:5

“Or let him take hold of My strength,  that he may make peace with Me;  and he shall make peace with Me.”

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We will be reading from a book by Erwin Lutzer, President of Moody Bible Institute.  It’s a short book about Christ’s sacrifice for us.  It’s called simply, “For Us.”

Luke 23:32-38

“There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”   The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,  and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

How could He even say it?  With nails piercing His hands and feet, hanging on the cross with His lungs straining for air ~ ~ how could that be the first thing that came to His mind?  The Greek text implies He didn’t just say it once, He repeated it over and over.  “Father, forgive them  ~ ~ forgive them ~ ~  forgive them.”

Right in the midst of His agony, Jesus prayed for the benefit of His tormentors.  What unimaginable mercy!!  But for Jesus, God’s plan was more important than His own suffering.  How long does it take you to forgive someone who hurts you?  It’s not easy to do.  Our own pain tends to consume us, and doesn’t leave much room for anyone else’s feelings ~ ~ especially not the person who caused the pain in the first place.  Have you hardened your heart against someone and refused to forgive them?  Let today be the day you follow Christ’s example and say, “Yes, I forgive.”

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