When Jesus hung on the cross, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). As we think about this prayer, we see that the cross alone can end the vicious cycle of hate and sin.
In essence, when Jesus was suspended between heaven and earth, He was acting as a magnet, drawing all hatred, anger, and viciousness to Himself. In doing so, He not only accomplished our forgiveness, but He also gave us the power to forgive others when they wrong us. He instills us with His Spirit and transforms us into His likeness so that we can love sacrificially because of His love poured out on us.
The cross alone can end the vicious cycle of hate and sin.
When we are wronged, we take our hurts to God and declare our forgiveness for the offense and offender, and we trust God to heal our hearts. When we determine to forgive others through the power of the cross, God will break the power of sin and hate in our lives. We don't have to be bound by unforgiveness. But we are free in the hope of Christ and the promise of His return—of new life that we can already taste as we follow Him.
Prayer: God, help me to remember to take my hurts to You, allowing You to heal my heart so that with Your help I can offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).Related Content
