Hey, my Friends. We are going to take a break from that great story in 2Chronicles 20 this week because… it is Holy Week! I want us to spend some time with Jesus as He does what only He can do, obey God the Father in the ultimate way. We will talk about the seven “Words of Jesus from the Cross” as He paid for your sin and mine, and note how this Immaculate Lamb of God was still caring for others as He sacrificed Himself for the world. Feel free to memorize these verses, but I will not be adding them to our list, not yet anyway.
Today, we see His forgiving heart. Listen:
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Lk 23:34 NIV
Imagine you are being punished for something you did not do, then on top of that, you are praying for God to forgive those persecuting you! Why? Because you do not hold it against them. You see, Jesus had already forgiven His accusers. This doesn’t mean what they were doing was ok, but it does mean Jesus, Himself, was not going to be affected and infected by their wickedness.
Choosing to forgive is an act of Mercy towards others, but it is also an act of Mercy towards ourselves too. After all, why should we get so upset about a wrong situation does to us, so much that it causes us to become hateful and vindictive too? Do you see how this only perpetuates the evil? We are to fight evil with good (Ro 12:21) which just makes sense, right? If I see a fire blazing, I do not try to put it out with more fire, do I? No, I do the opposite. I put water over it. My what we can learn from this most amazing Rabbi, even and especially as He is breathing His lasts painful breaths, is absolutely life changing and life giving! What a Savior we have!!!
Join me in memorizing 52 verses this year:
January: 1- Jn 3:16; 2- 2Co 5:17; 3- Jas 2:26; 4- Eph 2:10
February: 5- Jn 10:10; 6- Ro 6:23; 7- Rev 21:4; 8- Php 4:13
March: 9- 1Pe 5:7; 10- Jn 8:32; 11- Dt 30:19; 12- Jn 3:30; 13- 2Chron 20:3
April: 14- 2Chron 20:12
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Holy Week break: Lk 23:34
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<>< Peace, Diane
