Sometimes I wonder how God puts up with us broken clay pots. We get so worked up over niddly, piddly things (‘he said, she said’ and ‘he did this, she did that’) when Jesus asks us to forgive others and be His hands and feet of love.

(Note the nails in His crucified hands & feet.)

Today is Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, when we recount palm waving Hosannas, the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the betrayal, trial, scourging, crucifixion, and the body of Jesus getting put into a grave. We’ll revisit these events throughout Holy Week, but next Sunday is Easter so today there’s lots to contemplate.

After listening to all the Scriptures this morning, how can we stay entrenched in unforgiving ire when we consider the Cross & 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 and probably will continue to make mistakes: to sin by what I have done and 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 on the Cross.

Our frustrations, failures & hurts can be laid at the foot of the Cross. As we suffer the ill will of others, however, we should look up at Jesus. See Him hanging on the cross, bloody, beaten, and 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, tempers, our being clay pots with clay feet, He asks us to forgive others, for often they don’t know what they are doing. How they hurt us, and others, and themselves.

The thing is, we need Holy-Spirit-Help to forgive with the love of Christ. Look at Jesus on the cross. Imagine His agony when you think about the difficult people in your life. He suffered to forgive me and to forgive you. Through His Love nailed on the cross we are therefore meant 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. 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 Jesus filter the hard bits of your unforgiving ire through the prism of His mercy and grace.

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.

Forgive, as He has forgiven you.

grace, peace & merciful Love

Virginia  : )