“Forgive Others Just As You Have Been Forgiven!”

“Forgive Others Just As You Have Been Forgiven!”
Yesterday in conversation with someone I’ve not seen for long we were reminiscing about this life. The question uppermost was, “What is it all about?” Indeed, what is it all about? Before you know it you are gone. Worst of it is that you never know how your end would be.
Imagine Jesus the Son of God led out with two criminals to the Skull where they were all crucified! At that moment there was no difference between him and the two criminals. What is life after all?
Nevertheless, though crucified, while he still had breath, Jesus taught us two of the greatest lessons on forgiveness. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk.23:32-34). The first lesson is that we should forgive those who persecute us. The second lesson is that persecutors are most of the time ignorant of the fact that they are mere instruments in God’s great design; so out of pity they deserve our forgiveness.
It is good to forgive those who scheme against you because it is God using them to enable you to get to your destiny.
The biggest lesson as I see it is that the prayer is a great metaphor. I see Jesus constantly making the same prayer of intercession on our behalf. Each time God is crossed because of our sinfulness, Jesus pleads our ignorance with the Father.
Jesus is right there always interceding for us with the words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Even so, it is good to return to the Lord now and ask for his forgiveness because we know what we are doing; even if God uses it otherwise! Besides, we are forgiven so that we too should forgive others.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for constantly interceding with the Father on my behalf. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!