Forgiveness

When Did He Forgive Me?

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34 KJV

As I grow older, I can’t say I have learned all of the answers, but I have come to discover some of the best questions. The funny thing is that when God gives an answer it is rarely as detailed as I would like. Today’s verse asks one of those. When does God forgive us? At the cross, when Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them!”  there were plenty of people in need of forgiveness, beginning with His disciples, who had run away. Then there was the crowd, milling about and hurling insults at the Lord, and of course the soldiers. Their hands had held the nails and they had shoved the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus. The list is endless, but today let’s consider the two thieves; who were crucified with Jesus. Scripture tells us that at first they both joined the crowd in cursing Jesus, yet somewhere along the way, one had a change of heart. That is when we hear him cry out, “Lord remember me!” How interesting that just after Jesus turned to that man and promised him paradise, that He makes His prayer; “Father forgive them.,” Forgive this thief, those hiding disciples, and the cursing crowd. Forgive the hands holding nails and, even the cowardly governor who has sent Me to the cross. Yes, Father forgive them.” Jesus’ request did not include “Forgive them all except, or don’t forgive them until. Jesus cried for mercy, both immediate and complete. Yet that day only a dying thief and a Roman executioner understood and received His gift. What about you? Are you wondering when God will forgive you my friend? The most wonderful news in the universe is, we don’t need to wait until we can figure out how it works or what we need to do before it will happen, because God has already forgiven us and all we need to do is believe!

At the cross, at the cross where
I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Isaac Watts

Heaven’s Family Album

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 KJV

This year we decided that the time had come to organize our vast collection of family photos. We put this off for years because in our cabinets lie thousands of snapshots of our own, as well as hundreds from our parents, and even grandparents. Slowly and methodically, we went through our collection, tossing out faded landscapes, faces of folks we do not recognize or wished we didn’t.

At first, this was simply tedious but as time went on and the images passed before me, the memories came rushing back. We laughed seeing images of our children (now in their forties) jumping on the couch, we wept to see faces of friends and family separated by death or broken relationships. Some of our memories are treasures, while others we simply wanted to throw away. As flipped through the pile of photographs, I saw my life in the faces and was reminded that God also has a family album of His own in Heaven.

From His vast collection, He has lovingly shared with us a few eternal snapshots, to teach us the most important lessons of life. From our children, we learned to be patient and to love them even when they failed. From parents and grandparents, He showed us how to face difficulties with faith and respect for those weaker than we are. But from those who hurt us He has given us the opportunity to learn the greatest lesson of all. With these Jesus brings us to the cross where He teaches us to treat thieves as companions, failed friends as family members and those who cause our deepest pain, as people in need of mercy. At the cross God shows us that in forgiving others, He has forgiven us in spite of our sins. Then by His grace He has added us one by one into His family album in Heaven where we will one day see His face forever!

Yes! Jesus Loves Me!

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16 ESV

As we sang, “Jesus Loves Me,” it was strange how I recalled the memory of my mother telling me to “Sit on your bed till your father gets home!” I would groan and head off to my room and plop myself down to wait. I knew the standard operating procedure by heart. First, came the lecture, then the phrase, “This is going to hurt me, more than it’s going to hurt you!” Though I had heard those words many times I was pretty sure that I was the only one who was going to feel any pain!

Some of us think of God like that. We are scared to death of what He will do to us when He comes home. But that simple song, reminds that we have a Father in Heaven who treats us differently than we expect. We are reminded that he never told us to go wait on our beds until we get a licking. Instead, Jesus waited quietly while Pontius Pilate and the religious leaders of His day misunderstood Him, unjustly beat Him and condemned Him as a criminal. Though it was our selfish decisions and actions that had injured others, He took the punishment we richly deserved. When they nailed Him to the cross, it really was hurting Him more than it would ever hurt us. But the good news is that even after all He suffered, Jesus is not angry with us. He is not making us wait for a punishment when He comes home. In spite of all He suffered; the chorus of that simple song is our greatest hope “Yes Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so!”