Forgiveness 

   “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 22: 34) 

   We live in a world that seeks to repay for the slightest offense or harm done.  Anger rises quickly and dies slowly in the hearts of mankind.  But that is not how it is supposed to be.

   As He was dying on the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him.   His example is meant to be the way we are to forgive as well.  Sadly, we often fail miserably in those efforts.

   We often hold grudges against those who we feel have harmed us, sometimes for years on end.  We often look for a way to repay the damage we believe done to us.  Someone once said that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.  Our anger, our desire for revenge, doesn’t hurt the one for whom we hold the grudge, but it can destroy us and our spiritual life.

   Jesus taught, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you.”  (Matt: 6: 14 – 15).  Very clearly then, if we wish forgiveness, we must give forgiveness.

   Forgiveness is an incredible gift of God.  In His love, Jesus took it upon Himself to forgive our sins and our failings.  He was willing to die a horrible death to give us those gifts.  If we are to claim that forgiveness, that salvation, we must also learn to forgive.