March 12, 2019

Jesus is executed in a very painful and methodical way. Crucifixion was an excruciating method by which to die. Still, the first words out of Jesus’ mouth are words of forgiveness. In the words of the great Charles Wesley song, “How can this be?”

A recap of the various times that Jesus was ‘wronged’ in Luke 22–23:

• Judas, one of the 12 disciples, betrays Jesus and leads a crowd to arrest him. (Luke 22:4, 47)
• Once Jesus is arrested, Peter denies knowing Jesus 3 (!) times. (Luke 22:56–60)
• Jesus was mocked as he was beaten. (Luke 22:63)
• Even though Pilate found no grounds to punish Jesus, he gave into the demands of the crowd and let the crowd have their way with Jesus. (Luke 23:23-24)
• On his way to his crucifixion, he was stripped and humiliated. (Luke 23:26)

And despite all this, along with the excruciating physical pain & suffering he endured on the cross and until his death, he simply forgave without hesitation. Amazing. It’s incredible to think that Jesus did not resent his situation even though he was mistreated at every turn and did not do anything to deserve it. It really is a sobering reminder of the unconditional sacrifice that Jesus made for us, even though we have all sinned.

Jesus’ willingness to forgive unconditionally challenges us to think about the times we have been wronged, burned, hurt, big and especially small. Do we have trouble forgiving and letting go? I know I have done that too many times before. Through this Lenten season, it’s a good exercise to reflect on the anger and pain we may be harboring and find opportunities to reconcile with God & others.