Forgive...Seriously!

Luke 23:34a says, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (NIV)

While on the cross, Jesus forgave those of us who killed Him. Yes, I used the words “those of us”, because all of sinful mankind put Him to death. That includes everyone who has ever lived on this earth except Jesus, who was perfect.

Jesus offered forgiveness for the soldiers who did not know they were literally putting the Son of God, God in flesh, on the cross to die. Nor did they realize He was dying for them.

Christ had compassion on them while He was in such intense pain. They were the ones who put Him there, but He forgave them. He forgave you and me even though we, too, put Him there. They did not know. We did not know that our sin was what kept Him there, but He forgave us anyway.

I have no right to do anything less for those who unknowingly sin against me. I am compelled to forgive them because I, too, have been forgiven. Sometimes, people truly do not know what they are doing, or at the very least, they don’t know the full implications of their choices. But even if they do, you can know peace and have a burden lifted from your shoulders by forgiving from your heart.

And there you go!

*Note: this entry is an excerpt from Val’s book, Love & Forgiveness Seriously! A Daily Devotional