And Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide His garments. Luke 23:34 ESV

Usually, we only think about our inheritance, after the person who leaves it to us is gone. The chair they sat in, the back yard they planted the tree in, and the jewelry they wore, are the material reminders we have. But the real inheritance we hold onto is what remains in our hearts. While we are trudging through the daily drudgery of our responsibilities to them or the daily joys, we usually forget how quickly things can change. Then we are shocked when the moment comes and they are suddenly gone. Whether by divorce or death, a career change or altered financial circumstances, that individual has moved on and we are left with the attitudes we held towards them. Initially our inheritance from them may be frustration, anger, and disappointment, because of the choices they made or the way they treated us.

When Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, hung dying on the cross, He had every right to be angry, and to demand retribution on those brutal soldiers who were gambling for his clothing. But instead, Jesus prayed for their forgiveness and in so doing He inherited the name that is forever above every name in Heaven and earth. By forgiving, Jesus inherited an eternal kingdom of hope and peace, based not on what others had done to Him, but by grace.

This morning, some of you may be carrying hurts because of a failed relationship that was not your fault, or a sudden circumstance that was beyond your control. But the good news is that our spiritual inheritance can be changed. By HIs choice, Jesus changed the meaning of the cross from a symbol of judgement to the source of grace. Just as He chose to forgive and release the outcome of His suffering to His Father, so can we. Why not choose as He did, a new legacy, a different memory, and a new path to walk? Why not release what has lingered in our hearts for too long, and trust it forever into the hands of God?

Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? Psalm 139: 7 NKJV

I enjoy driving through the countryside and watching cows, serenely munching on lush green grass. But many years ago, when I worked for a farmer I discovered a little-known fact. Cows are fast! Okay, maybe not as swift as cheetahs, but they can travel just a little faster than a boy chasing them on foot. That reality dawned on me the morning when one made it through a break in the fence. When I first saw her, she was happily chomping on the grass just outside of the pasture. “This should be easy,” I thought. “I’ll just circle around and drive her back into her field.” But as soon as that cow spotted me, she headed in the opposite direction, and no matter how fast I jogged, she ran just a little faster! Eventually, with some help from one of the other workers on horseback, we were able to get her home.

King David didn’t have cows to care for, but he had learned the same lesson from sheep, who like our cow, believed that the best pastures grew outside their own familiar meadow. And our souls, just like cows and sheep, easily wander from the pastures that God has prepared for us. But when David sinned and ran from God’s call, He came to realize, that no matter how far he ran, God would always run a little further. No matter where he tried to hide, God could see him, and no matter how deep a pit he had fallen into, God was still willing to pull him out. If you have been running from God and feel hopelessly lost, don’t despair. All He is asking you to do is turn around. Wherever you are, He is right there with you and if you are willing to follow Him, He will do whatever it takes to bring you home again!