Jesus forgives and urges us to do the same.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2007 (SATURDAY) – It was on a Sunday evening 55 years ago. Two men who had just attended the evening worship service were driving home. Each had his family in the vehicle with him. Somehow they collided on that country road as one tried to pass the other. The damage was slight, but each blamed the other for the near tragedy that could have been much worse. They never spoke to each other after that. They had known each other all their lives. They had been friends. I went to each and tried reasoning with them, urging them to do whatever was necessary to restore the friendship. To no avail. Both men lived to a ripe old age, but each died resentful of the other. Sad. Very sad.
In 1979, David Wilkerson gave a sermon about forgiveness that speaks to us today, 28 years after he preached it. It’s worth your time to read it. He says some things that all of us need to hear from time to time. He has always had a gift of speaking plainly, right to the point. He points out in this message that one of the hardest things we are ever asked to do is to forgive.
Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, as they were driving the nails into His hands. He gave us a model prayer that included a petition for forgiveness of sins and a promise to forgive others.
Resentment is something we hold onto with passion, as a child clutches his “blankey” or “teddy.” It gives us comfort in some twisted way. But it is a burden, like the huge cotton sack dragged by the person picking cotton. It is a god, to which we must give homage, especially when we are tempted to forgive. It is like a sadistic counselor who urges us to repeat the reasons for our lingering anger, for his own benefit. It is a hideous scar, hidden from ourselves, but not from anyone else.
Be free. Forgive.