WHAT ABOUT HIS RIGHTS

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.”

Matthew 27:26-31

King James Version

I used to think I had a right to be angry and to stay angry when someone hurt me but I don’t have the right to be angry and neither do you.  The only One Who has a right to be angry about what we did to Him is Jesus and yet even after enduring excruciating pain and being beaten beyond recognition, Jesus forgave us while still hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body.

We read in the Bible “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).  How could Jesus forgive us after all the abuse that He suffered and how can He forgive us now after the way we treat Him?  The reason is because Jesus is a loving compassionate and forgiving Saviour and He loves us unconditionally and He has commanded us to love one another unconditionally.

Can you honestly say that you always love others unconditionally?  I can’t say that because there are times when people hurt me that I have to ask Jesus to help me keep my big mouth shut and not say or do something to hurt the one who has hurt me.  This is why I have said many times “Don’t look to me or to your pastor or to your Sunday school teacher.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and on Him alone because He will never hurt you or fail you”.

Let’s stop judging one another and saying and doing things that we know will hurt someone and start loving others unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love each other.  Loving one another unconditionally is not an option.  It is a commandment from Jesus.  He didn’t say He wished we would love each other unconditionally.  He said that it was His commandment.  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have hurt You because I didn’t love unconditionally as Jesus has commanded me to love others.  I’m sorry for hurting You and hurting Your Son.  Heavenly Father, You are a tender loving and compassionate Father.  Thank You for loving me even when I hurt You.  I pray for all who are discouraged, lonely, heartbroken and going through dark valleys.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  Thank You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

October 30, 2019