Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34
Prepared to hang on a cross for crimes He did not commit, Jesus Christ asks God to forgive us, mankind, because we were/are flawed human beings, unable to comprehend the eternal consequences of our actions. Ironically, it was a desire for knowledge that led to our downfall.
And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground ~ trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.... The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, "Your are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. ~ Genesis 2:9, 15-17
Most of us know the rest of that story. Adam and Eve ate from that tree, and that act of rebellion and disobedience has resonated down through the history of mankind. Even if you do not believe in God or His Son, Jesus Christ, you would be hard pressed to deny that in our self-focused pursuit of liberty and happiness, we are sin-filled creatures. "Sin" merely means "missing the mark." The greatest commandment of all is to love (Matthew 22:36-39) In our "me" life, we miss the mark on daily displays of love, kindness, joy, peace and compassion towards our fellow human beings. Or is it just me that fails?
I am so grateful for a God who loves me despite my failings. Who loves me so much that He would go to the cross to pay for my sin. Who loves me so much that He forgives me eternally.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. " I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." ~ Psalm 103:12, Jeremiah 31:3, Matthew 26:28
He went to the cross for us all that we may live. I am on my knees in gratitude.
2 comments:
I seem to need a dose of his forgiveness DAILY too. Man did I need it the past couple of days as I tried to tear someone apart for their unfair/unjust treatment of me. Living in love is hard, I think sometimes I am actually harder on myself than God is though after reading those verses...thanks for the reminder. Happy Good Friday!
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