“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34 KJV.

Sometimes or most times it is the hardest thing to do in this life to forgive someone who has wrongly hurt you.  I don’t just mean someone who hurt your feelings, but someone who may have driven you to the door of suicide, who beat you physically, who put you in prison, or who shot one of your relatives or boyfriend, all of which I personally have suffered.

Unlike Christ, who forgave and forgives all humans who forgive (Matthew 18:34-35) when we  sin, we did, as sinners, put God the Incarnate — put God on the Cross — where then God forgave us first for this deed.  However, in my humaness and stubborness I have the nerve to take time to understand and forgive. Christ was in pain when God the Incarnate forgave us, so in my pain I, at least, can start the process of forgiveness, 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:21-35 KJV), despite the painful storm I am going through.  Like Christ, forgiveness is from the heart, and so we must strive to transform our anger — swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (James 1:19 KJV) — which is a challenge for all.  I often have to pull back what harsh words I say in anger, and ask for forgiveness from Jesus.  I know I have to make peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14 KJV) to see God, to recognize God, so I, at least, can start the process of forgiveness towards the other person or persons, all of my own free will.

In the commentary from the Life Application Study Bible, KJV for John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”), it states “The entire Gospel comes to focus in this verse. God’s love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships — when you love someone dearly, you are willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay.  Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life he had bought for us. When we share the Gospel with others, our love must be like Jesus — willingly giving up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God’s love.”

I do love Jesus with my whole heart as He has forgiven me for all of my transgressions even as I do them unknowingly in thought in the past, in the present, and in the future.  He always leads and guides me to do and think better, and I have confidence and trust in what He has for me, for me to forgive yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the way, the  truth, and the life (John 14:6 KJV), and I do what I do His way, with His truth, and in the image of His life.

In Luke 23:34 KJV, the word “forgive” or “aphiemi” means “cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up,” “for they know not what they do.” Many people (like myself) unknowingly hurt other people not really knowing what they (or I) are doing themselves or to themselves, and especially to the whole community.  Persons who could not spiritually “see” Jesus put Him on the Cross to kill Him, but Jesus forgave these spiritually blinded men before He said “It is finished:” then Jesus rose on the third day.

I’m glad that Jesus has given us the opportunity to have the “sight” to forgive the spiritually blind, and then go on with all of our life in Christ!  It is a hard task, but doable involving much healing, true love, and understanding.  I am ever beholding to God for His forgiveness of my sins!

God Bless You All!