Sometimes I wonder how God puts up with us broken clay pots (especially when some clay pots are a bit sneakier than others)… how we get so worked up over niddly, piddly things ‘he said, she said’ – ‘he did this, she did that’ – when Jesus asks us to FORGIVE and to be His hands and feet of LOVE (note the nails in His crucified hands & feet…)
Today is Passion Sunday – from palm waving Hosannas to the Last Supper, the Agony in Gethsemane, the Betrayal, Trial, Scourging, Crucifixion… and to the Grave (we’ll revisit these events throughout the week, but next Sunday is Easter so today there’s lots to contemplate!)
After listening to the Scripture this morning, how can we get so entrenched in unforgiving ire when we consider The Cross & the Passion of Jesus Christ?
Like Peter in the garden (sleeping) & later warming himself by the fire in denial mode, I’m just a clay pot. I have & probably will continue to make mistakes: to say things that might hurt people, (even if unintentionally); to sin by what I have done & what I have failed to do … as I ask forgiveness of our Heavenly Father, I ask that He wash my heart, mind & spirit with the soap of His mercy- the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our frustrations, failures & hurts – we can lay them at the cross. As we suffer the ill will of others, however, we should really look up at Jesus. See Him hanging on the cross, bloody, beaten, humiliated – a crown of thorns adorning His head.
Look, then listen to His voice: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
As He forgives us our shortcomings, our tempers – our being clay pots with clay feet (ouch!) He asks us to forgive others, for often they really don’t know what they are doing. How they hurt us & others & themselves.
The thing is, we need Holy-Spirit-Supernatural-Help to forgive with the Love of Christ. Look at Jesus on the cross (just imagine His agony when you think about the difficult people in your life.) He suffered to forgive YOU, to forgive ME. Through His Love nailed on the cross we are therefore supposed to forgive and love others.
If you still can’t forgive Mr. or Ms. Difficult in your life, look at the cross again. And again. And again. Until His love for YOU pierces your heart. When that happens, it becomes easier to really love others in a I Corinthians 13 sort of way. (Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..)
Don’t let pride or what ‘he said, she said’ get in the way. Don’t let the past cloud the future.
Hear, again, the voice of Jesus saying:
” As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:14)
Forgiveness is part & parcel of the Sacrificial Love of Jesus on the Cross.
LET GO OF THE PAST. Cling to Jesus. Trust Him. Trust Him. Trust Him. Do not be afraid to embrace a new future; a future with His love renewed in you. Let all things filter through the prism of His love. His Light. His Truth… His MERCY.
See His forgiving Hands, scarred by nails, reaching out to hold you; feel the warmth of His Mercy gently wash your heart’s grime away, then turn & BE His Mercy.
grace, peace & Merciful Love
Virginia
Roses in the Rubble 
Wow, Ginny, you hit the nail on the head! Forgiveness is so important and impossible for us humans to do without supernatural help. How appropriate to focus on this most holy week. True forgiveness is only made possible as each one of us comes to The Cross and lays down his burden before our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ — “It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day!”. 🙂
Thanks Cindy – forgiveness is always So Hard, but maybe if we look at the Cross more, it might come more easily from us..(of course, with Heavenly Help from our Holy Redeemer! Love the hymn.. : )