WATCHWORD:
19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven”. John 20:19-23
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Meditation:
Love with Legs?
As we spend time in the Word, we become more and more aware that there are reoccurring themes that seem to play out through all of the teachings and commands of our Lord. Themes, like; love others, or judge not, or I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Is there one theme that is foundational to our Christian beliefs, our walk with Christ?
Charles Martin, author of What If It’s True?, has an opinion on that topic and I agree with him. He would like to know what Jesus did and said when he appeared following his Resurrection. We know what scripture tells us: Peace be with you. But, look what follows: As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you…Receive the Holy Spirit. ” Jesus is equipping us and sending us? To do what? Then it dawns on us – forgive!
If forgiveness is not the foundation, the anchor, the touch-stone of our walk with Jesus, then, as Martin asks, “tell me why it’s the first word out of His mouth when he returns from hell?…Forgiveness is love with legs.”
I like that, forgiveness is Love with legs. Forgiveness is portable, it goes wherever you go with Jesus. Forgiveness casts the shadow and flavor of love with every breath. Forgiveness is done in the Love of God. It is a sign that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of our lives.
Whatever the cliché or fancy words you use to describe the time when you came to Jesus and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. Maybe it was an alter call, and you came and surrendered, and the pastor prayed over you. Maybe you came out of the waters of your baptism, washed clean. Maybe you stood there in your Sunday finery as water was being poured on your forehead. And you walked away in a spiritual high.
The reality of practicing Christ as Lord and Savior of your life is not easy, polite, clean or fresh. It’s more like this: You crawl up on the cross and hug the wounded body of Jesus to your own, and you feel his blood dripping on your arms, and can feel his tentative heart beat as he works so hard to fill his lungs with breath so that he can utter His three final words that means victory over sin and death: Father, forgive them.”
Is that what it means to be washed in the Blood of Christ? Yes. Is this why we are being sent? Yes. Is that the message for us? Yes. Really? Yes. To forgive? Yes.
This is how Martin frames it: “The resurrection does not guarantee you a life free from hardship and suffering. The resurrection guarantees you the power to die Jesus’ death and live Jesus’ life. That power and that life start with forgiveness.” Love with legs.
Don’t jump to the prayer, just yet. Reread verse 23: If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven,” (and neither are you!). Dear friends, that is an imperative! The work of the Cross in your life is not easy, it is simply blessed. Amen.
Prayer of Forgiveness:
Dear Heavenly Father, oh how our hearts struggle to forgive wholly and fully. We thank You for demonstrating such forgiveness by graciously extending it to us. Help us forgive freely and let go of bitterness, and grant us the strength to trust Your way is best. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
