The Character of Christ (5): Readiness to Forgive

The very first statement Jesus made on the cross as recorded in the bible was: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). This was a very unlikely request from someone who committed no crime. Any other innocent person would have asked that God should judge the people that crucified him. Jesus didn’t ask God to avenge His executioners even though He had the right to, rather He asked the Father to forgive them. More so, He didn’t whisper it, He said it out loud for them to know He held no grudge against them. He said it out loud for His followers and disciples to know that He abhorred no bitterness in His heart towards the people that crucified Him, setting the perfect example for them, so that when their own time of persecution came, they wouldn’t be raining curses on their persecutors. Even though every breath He drew on the cross was agonizing, yet He mustered as much of it as He could to utter those few but profound words.

There is nothing, no offense too great that we can’t forgive, for He has given us the greatest example of forgiveness by forgiving the very people that killed Him and even pleaded with God to forgive them. What greater offence or wrong can someone commit against you apart from torturing you and taking your life especially when you did no wrong? Yet, Jesus prayed for them. He prayed for them while they were still mocking him. He didn’t wait for them to realize their sins and come begging for forgiveness, He begged God on their behalf. This is the heart of Christ and this is what He wants us to do as well. Oh! That we may become like Him!

During His sermon on the mount, Jesus said, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt 5:23-24). From the scripture above it is very clear that God is not interested in our offerings if there is any grudge or unforgiveness in our heart. It will be unacceptable to the Lord. Even if you are not the one at fault and you know someone has a grudge against you, go out of way and settle it with the person. Forgive even if they don’t say sorry. Let it go, just let it go. Strive to live at peace with all men. Pursue peace! (Heb 12:14).

Our prayer should always be for God to give us a heart of mercy, a heart that does not wait for people to apologize first before we forgive them. Jesus said in Matt 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Peter asked Jesus one day, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” Peter may have been asking this question as it relates to him personally but it relates to all of us. Our flesh tends to put a limit on how much we can take. How much insult, humiliation and revile we can take from others. So in response to Peter’s question, Jesus said, “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (Matt. 18:21-22) Of course He wasn’t saying we should start counting and stop forgiving once it’s beyond seventy times seven. He meant we ought to forgive all the time someone offends us. Every single time! To Peter and so many of us today, this may look like a tall order but that is what the Lord expects of us. Jesus our perfect example demonstrated it when He was nailed to the cross.

In addition, after sharing with His disciples, the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:23-34), who was handed over to tormentors for casting a fellow servant into prison because of a little debt after He had been forgiven a huge debt, He said, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matt 18:35)

Friends, again let us examine ourselves. Do you harbor grudges, malice, unforgiveness and/or bitterness in your heart? Are you quick to forgive or do you wait to be begged and pacified first? Do you bless people who curse you or do you rain curses on them in return? Do you intercede for those who persecute you or are you busy praying for them to run mad or be consumed by fire?

Lack of forgiveness would do no good. It only hinders you. It creates bitterness and anger in your heart; it destroys your fellowship with God, and eventually lands you in hell. "…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Eph. 4:32)

Oh Lord, transform us into your likeness, help us to always forgive like you! Amen.