Page 24 - Living Light Spring 2024

Monday March 25 - Forgive, really?
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
It was probably just another day’s work for the Roman ‘squaddies’ crucifying Jesus. Rome executed thousands like this. Unfeelingly, they’d have wanted to despatch their victims efficiently. They had probably no inkling of the meaning of this particular execution. The trial and crowd reaction to his death march may have raised their curiosity. But when Jesus spoke, it was a different matter. How could he forgive those so cruelly taking away his life?
Jesus’ prayer was primarily for the forgiveness of those executing him. But its significance went far beyond them. It had universal import. Ignorance, we say, is no excuse for breaking the law. Yet Jesus prayed for their forgiveness because they were ignorant of the real story they were caught up in. They didn’t know that the sacrifice of this perfect man was God’s way of forgiving the sins of the entire world – including yours and mine. Forgiveness is at the heart of the cross.
Jesus stressed the need for his disciples to forgive (Matthew 6:12, 14-15). Don’t think it was easy for him simply because he was the Son of God. He was also a real human like you and me. Yet, in these extreme circumstances, he practiced what he preached and had taught his disciples to pray. At this moment of supreme injustice, he forgives.
What release there is in forgiving those who have wronged us, however guilty they are!
Father, help me to find release by forgiving those who have wronged me, as Jesus did. Amen.
Tuesday March 26 - Are you the king?
There was a written notice above him, which read, ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ Luke 23:38
The story of Jesus’ crucifixion is full of irony. How could the creator of life be put to death? How could brutal, ignorant soldiers be doing the will of God and paving the way for forgiveness? Irony dominates verses 35-38.
First, the crowd mocked him as a failed saviour. They knew he’d rescued many through his ministry of healing, exorcising, forgiving, making them clean, and setting them on the right path. Yet, ironically, he seemed unable to rescue himself, or else he wouldn’t have ended up on a cross. How could he be God’s anointed one, the Messiah, the Chosen One? It didn’t add up. Except, it did! On that cross he took the place of those in need of healing, the unclean, the oppressed and sinners. He bore their burdens to set them free.
Second, they mocked him as a failed king. The Jewish authorities translated their trumped-up charges against him into political terms, so Rome would execute him. The Jews only had one king, Yahweh. The Gentiles only had one king, Caesar. If Jesus was a king, he was the strangest king they’d ever encountered. His conversation with Pilate demonstrates that (John 18:28-19:16). How could this crucified criminal be a king? It was ridiculous. Except, it wasn’t! Ironically, the cross was his throne and from it he exercised his reign not only over the Jews but over the entire world.
Thank you, Father God, for the mysterious work of the cross, by which we are healed and forgiven. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY