HOW

“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

Luke 23:32-34

King James Bible

Someone was asked “How can you forgive them after what they did to you”?  A better question is “How can God forgive us after what we did to His Son?  It was your sins and my sins that Jesus was crucified for and suffered all that excrutiating pain and anguish.  Jesus had never done anything wrong, had never sinned, not once, yet He was crucified for our sins.

I did not deserve to be forgiven because before Jesus saved me and gave me a new heart, I was a hateful person.  I was rude to people, I yelled at them, I even cursed them but the worse thing that I did was when I got really angry I would say to the person “go to hell”.  I didn’t realize what I was saying.  I had heard other people say it when they were angry so I said it.

I’m so glad we have a loving compassionate and forgiving Heavenly Father.  It brings tears to my eyes when I remember how hateful I was to people before Jesus gave me a new heart.  I might as well had taken a knife and plunged in into their heart when I said all those hateful words to them.  If God can love me as rotten as I was, He can love anybody.

Heavenly Father, I know You have forgiven me for what I did but it breaks my heart to know that I was so hateful to people.  Thank You for loving me when I was so unlovely. Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.  I don’t deserve Your unconditional love but I’m so glad that You do love me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

                              Joanne Lowe

                              July 29, 2019