Forgive Our Ignorance
Good Morning Friends,
As Christians we must learn to forgive and love those the world rejects, even those who reject us. We are to learn the wisdom and understanding of the heart. Friends living is easy and confidence abounds when we embrace the illusion of knowledge in wealth. But we are called to repent and turn this insanity around. The harsh reality is that we reject Jesus when we reject the poor. If we desire to receive the Holy Spirit we must repent and walk the path of mercy asking our Father in Heaven to Forgive Our Ignorance.
Scripture: Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
Luke 23:34 (NRSV)
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36 (NRSV)
While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Acts 17:30 (NRSV)
Message: Jesus’ first word from the cross is a prayer that is also in the first sentence of another prayer that He teaches us to pray. Jesus begins his words from the cross and Jesus began his teaching prayer, acknowledging the Father. Jesus’ choice of the word is revealing for it is intimate and warm and that it is chosen in the midst of great pain is instructive. Jesus reveals his closeness to God in the midst of suffering. Our prayer life indeed all our life is to be the same. We too are to pray intimately to God unceasingly but especially when we are in the pain of sharing in Christ’s redemption of the world. The second word from the cross is the word, forgive. Rather than calling on God to punish those people below who were crucifying and killing him, Jesus’ heart was full of compassion for them. Jesus called out for God to forgive. This could not have been easy. Easy is forgiving your friends not one’s enemies. To forgive ones enemies has to be a miracle of God. It is a dual request to forgive them but also us, for we were meant to forgive much sooner. Friends, it is too easy to run away from the pain. It is too easy not to get it. And let’s face it too many just do not get it. It is true for us today. We don’t get it. We do not get it when we fail to feed the hungry. We do not get it when we fail to visit the lonely. We do not get it when our lives get so busy that we do not have time for God. Friends, on that day on the cross Jesus offered grace…the miracle of grace. We are not to be ignorant of its power nor ignore its purpose.
The third word in that first sentence from the cross is our call to action for we too often do not know what we are doing.
Pray we not be ignorant of the Word of God. Pray we not ignore facts when we reach out in faith. Pray we not neglect Christ who lives in the bodies of the poor. Pray we forgive each other. Pray we get it.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 