3.31.2010

Oh, To Be More Like Him~

Jesus prayed,
"Father, forgive them;
they don't know what they're doing."
Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them.
 The people stood there staring at Jesus,
and the ringleaders made faces, taunting,
 "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha!
The Chosen—ha!"
Luke 23:33-34 (Msg)

I've been reading through Luke this week
and keep going back to the incredible words CHRIST spoke while taking his last breath....
"Father, forgive them..."
As He was being mocked, beaten & 
nailed the cross, HE prayed this prayer! These people did not deserve forgiveness. But Jesus, through His kindness offered it to them. Forgiveness reaches out to the undeserving. I'm not sure I've EVER prayed that for anyone that was being remotely mean, rude, backstabbing, two-faced, vengeful, etc....and here was our Savior, left to die, sweating blood, taking on my sin and uttering these words..."Father, forgive them,
they do not know what they are doing?"
Wow! Because of the grace HE has extended to me, I will learn to pray these words for the ones that have/will hurt me.
Who am I, that I should not extend grace to others!? Who am I to decide if someone "deserves this forgiveness? I know I don't!! HE is so gracious, so beautiful and only by HIS power could we ever, ever begin to whisper this prayer. 

Forgiveness reaches out to the undeserving.
I am so unworthy of HIS love!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thank you for your heartfelt post today!