By Helen Mitchell
"When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." Luke 23:33-34 (NIV)
Right to the very end of his life, Jesus was interceding for the lost people whom he came to save. While they were mocking him, hitting him and crucifying him, Jesus was forgiving them. Jesus allowed no room for bitterness, anger and resentment - only love and forgiveness.
Sometimes we need Jesus' power of forgiveness when we have been offended at work. Some things are just harder to forgive. Maybe we are laid off for the wrong reasons, or people are saying untrue things about us behind our back, or someone betrays our trust and confidence.
We must forgive. Forgiveness doesn't excuse the offending behavior nor minimize the hurt, but we can't hold onto it. Unforgiveness is a sin and a breeding ground for more sin in our life. Unforgiveness steals our joy, taints our relationships and detracts from our accomplishments at work.
Before he was crucified, Jesus told his disciples why it is important to forgive. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
It's is God's forgiveness through the blood of Jesus on the cross which allows us to enter heaven for eternity. We have been forgiven of so much and we must forgive as we are forgiven.
When discussing how many times to forgive someone for the same thing, Jesus told Peter in Matthew 18:22, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
We all have areas in our life where we go back to God time and again confessing the same sin. God is faithful to forgive us. If we are to forgive as we are forgiven and we will be forgiven by God as we forgive, then we must forgive our co-workers without limit.
As Jesus hung on that cross, he was about to take on the sin of the world including the sins of those very men who were crucifying him. When it is too hard to offer forgiveness, just ask Jesus, he will intercede and help us.
Until next week...
Discussion Questions:
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Why is forgiveness hard? Do you think it gets easier over time and with practice?
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Is it harder to ask for forgiveness or offer forgiveness?
- Take some time and reflect and ask God to show you if there is anyone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from and what he would have you do.