For January 7, 2012
Prepare: Teach me to forgive
Read: Luke 5:17-26
My cousin Sheetal's facebook update for today read: "To forgive is to forget." We never truly forget when someone hurts us. I always believe that true forgiveness is letting go of your bitterness and anger in spite of remembering the wrong that was done to you.
This passage is quoted for the enterprising spirit shown us by the paralytic man's friends, but us dwell on the questioning of Jesus' authority to forgive. When the Pharisees question His authority to forgive, Jesus goes ahead and heals the paralytic to make a point. Jesus' question, "Is it easier, to say, thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, rise up and walk?" is very practical. If He said the latter, then proof would be required for the physical healing (which was given in verse 25). But how would Jesus prove that He had indeed forgiven the man of his sins? So, it definitely is easier to say "I forgive you." Not just for Jesus, but for us too.
And so, we say it many times without meaning it, because it cannot be disproved and people who hear us believe that we have indeed forgiven. But we are the ones who know if we have truly forgiven or not. We sometimes say, "How can anyone forgive such a thing?" Take a look at Jesus' words in verse 24. He forgave as - the 'Son of Man' the human part of Him. This means we can forgive too. Forgiveness can be a cure to a lot of things in your life sometimes even physical.
Respond: Father, I will forgive others as You forgive me.
Prepare: Teach me to forgive
Read: Luke 5:17-26
My cousin Sheetal's facebook update for today read: "To forgive is to forget." We never truly forget when someone hurts us. I always believe that true forgiveness is letting go of your bitterness and anger in spite of remembering the wrong that was done to you.
This passage is quoted for the enterprising spirit shown us by the paralytic man's friends, but us dwell on the questioning of Jesus' authority to forgive. When the Pharisees question His authority to forgive, Jesus goes ahead and heals the paralytic to make a point. Jesus' question, "Is it easier, to say, thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, rise up and walk?" is very practical. If He said the latter, then proof would be required for the physical healing (which was given in verse 25). But how would Jesus prove that He had indeed forgiven the man of his sins? So, it definitely is easier to say "I forgive you." Not just for Jesus, but for us too.
And so, we say it many times without meaning it, because it cannot be disproved and people who hear us believe that we have indeed forgiven. But we are the ones who know if we have truly forgiven or not. We sometimes say, "How can anyone forgive such a thing?" Take a look at Jesus' words in verse 24. He forgave as - the 'Son of Man' the human part of Him. This means we can forgive too. Forgiveness can be a cure to a lot of things in your life sometimes even physical.
Respond: Father, I will forgive others as You forgive me.
No comments:
Post a Comment