Luke 23:34 Forgiveness

In 1 Peter 2:21 we read: "For to this you have been called,because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" (ESV). You might think that suffering is what to expect if we are to follow in his steps, but that is not true. We need to understand what the "For" is pointing to. If we go back to 1 Peter 2:20b we learn that we are to endure when suffering unjustly. "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God" (ESV). This is the example we are to follow. Jesus, who committed no sin was nailed to a cross, said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." The example to follow is to forgive when suffering unjustly, but how is that possible? The answer is found in 1 Peter 2:22 - 23: "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (ESV). Consider in particular the expression, "but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." Our sinful nature wants to get even; to retaliate in some way, but we are here instructed to turn this desire for justice over to God to take care of in his time and in his way and when we do, our need for justice is replaced with the ability to love and to forgive our enemy just as Jesus did. Trusting God for justice allows the Holy Spirit to work supernaturally in our heart, giving us the ability to love our enemies and to forgive them as we have been forgiven by God. This supernatural response provides us with a very powerful witness that can draw even the most harden enemy to Jesus and to salvation. In this witness lies the explanation of why Christianity expands so rapidly under persecution. The unbeliever can clearly see an amazing quality of great value that draws them into belief, even at great cost to them. This concept of forgiveness we need to understand and live out if we are to bring value back into what has become a cultural church here in the west.

Prayer

Father, the example Jesus set, when dying on the cross, by offering forgiveness brings into focus that as your enemy you forgave us when we came to Christ. When we surrender the judgment of our enemies into your hands we are then able to love and forgive our enemies. Father, thank you for this powerful, supernatural witness that we see displayed by those being persecuted and even martyred for their faith. What a tremendous validation this act of love and forgiveness is in the uniqueness of Christianity among world religions. Father, thank you for your forgiveness and your provision for us to do likewise.