We Don’t Know

Luke 23:34
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
 
To say that these words are anything less than haunting and I’d be lying.
Of the entire Easter narrative, this is the moment that breaks my heart the most.
 
And I get it…on Good Friday, we are supposed to be broken hearted. Today is the day in which Christ was beaten and broken. Today is the day that He carried the cross through Via Dolorosa–The Way of Suffering–as people mocked and ridiculed Him. Today is the day where He died on Golgotha and ended up in the grave.
 
Today is a day of pain and sorrow. There is no doubt about that.
 
However, what breaks my heart, what really haunts me is that Christ continued to forgive up until death.
 
And yet here we are. We don’t know what we’re going.
 
Here we are as people who play with forgiveness as if it’s something someone must win or earn. We withhold it as if it’s our right to determine whether someone deserves it or not. We have to “work ourselves up” into making amends with our family and friends when we argue and fight. We hold onto our grudges and bitterness as if they are the fuel that get us through life. We live life in spite of others for the wrongs they have done. I can go on…but I’ll stop. I think you get the picture.
 
It’s hard for us to forgive and if you say that it isn’t–you’re lying to yourself.
 
Forgiveness is hard, but Good Friday shows us that it’s possible. Christ tells us that it’s possible.
 
Christ forgave the men who beat and broke Him. He forgave the ones who mocked and ridiculed. He forgave those who killed Him. He forgives us. And He did it joyfully. Listen to the word of Hebrews:
 
Hebrews 12:2
…fixing our eyes on the Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
 
If Maundy Thursday is a day where we are commanded to “love as Christ loves us,” then Good Friday is the day in which Christ shows us how.
 
To love others like Christ loves them…we must forgive them. And we must enjoy it!
 
I know…I know…that sound pretty impossible to do. You might be asking yourself: “Isn’t forgiving enough? But now you’re telling me I have enjoy it too?”
 
Yep.
 
Yes, Christ was 100% God, completely divine, but He was also 100% man. He chose the form of man so that He could make seemingly impossible things absolutely possible. So if Christ could forgive those who put Him on the cross, and in His heart feel joy, we can do the same. 
 
The joy to be found is in knowing that we have done what Christ has commanded us: To love as He loves others. 
 
So ask yourself:
What does your capacity for forgiveness look like?
Is there someone in your life you’re withholding forgiveness from?
Do you find joy in forgiving others as Christ did for us?
 
And remember:
On Good Friday, we are supposed to be broken hearted. 
 
But we know what we are supposed to be doing.
 
We are supposed to forgive.
 
And we are supposed to enjoy it.
 
-Pastor Cody

One Response to “We Don’t Know”

  1. Rebecca Sims says:

    Forgiveness is the hardest thing to do for the ones who hurt me the most. The ones who I would have thought would have accepted me by now… Nearly 2 decades later. Alas, it is difficult for me to fully forgive, as the cycle repeats.

    I did reach out a thank you today. Very difficult to do, but did it. I received a positive, yet odd response. It’s a start. I can forgive, but my heart won’t let me forget. I need to work on the joyful side of forgiveness with them.

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