January 17, 2014: The Forgiveness Challenge

Matthew 12:1-23

Amplified Bible (AMP)

12 At that particular time Jesus went through the fields of standing grain on the Sabbath; and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pick off the spikes of grain and to eat.

2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, See there! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful and not permitted on the Sabbath.

3 He said to them, Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, and those who accompanied him—

4 How he went into the house of God and ate the loaves of the showbread—which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for the men who accompanied him, but for the priests only?

5 Or have you never read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the sanctity of the Sabbath [breaking it] and yet are guiltless?

6 But I tell you, Something greater and more exalted and more majestic than the temple is here!

7 And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord [even] of the Sabbath.

9 And going on from there, He went into their synagogue.

10 And behold, a man was there with one withered hand. And they said to Him, Is it lawful or allowable to cure people on the Sabbath days?—that they might accuse Him.

11 But He said to them, What man is there among you, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit or ditch on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?

12 How much better and of more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful and allowable to do good on the Sabbath days.

13 Then He said to the man, Reach out your hand. And the man reached it out and it was restored, as sound as the other one.

14 But the Pharisees went out and held a consultation against Him, how they might do away with Him.

15 But being aware of this, Jesus went away from there. And many people joined and accompanied Him, and He cured all of them,

16 And strictly charged them and sharply warned them not to make Him publicly known.

17 This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah,

18 Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in and with Whom My soul is well pleased and has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim and show forth justice to the nations.

19 He will not strive or wrangle or cry out loudly; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets;

20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory.

21 And in and on His name will the Gentiles (the peoples outside of Israel) set their hopes.

22 Then a blind and dumb man under the power of a demon was brought to Jesus, and He cured him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw.

23 And all the [crowds of] people were stunned with bewildered wonder and said, This cannot be the Son of David, can it?

Once again I am cut to the heart. I must have mercy. I can go around doing good, ministering to widows and orphans, praying, fasting, etc. But if I dont have mercy, God will reject all my sacrificial good deeds. Wow. I can say I love Jesus, but if I don't forgive, I am lying. Loving Jesus IS loving others. 

7 And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless.

And I have to have Jesus' attitude as he hung dying on the cross. Constantly. All day. Every day. Every time someone disses me. Which happens often! This is very hard! But necessary. And to be honest, every time I choose to respond in a kind manner, or simply forgive, I am rewarded with happiness. Instant gratification.

Luke 23:34

Amplified Bible (AMP)

34 And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them.

So here's a challenge for you. Do you want to have an amazing day today? Choose to forgive someone who has treated you terribly. Just pray, "Jesus, forgive them, for they know not what they do." 

Verses 19 through 20 speak of Jesus' death. I am NOT anticipating reading about my Blessed Savior's death. How could these people be so evil. This is beyond my comprehension. 

Oh and also, as I read about Jesus healing all those people, I think it would be fun to go out every day and simply pray for people. To be honest, I have prayed for many people and have yet to see someone visibly healed. So here's another challenge! Find a partner (in Acts, they went out by two), and ask God to lead you to people who need to be healed. An idea to get started would be to call the church and ask if anyone needs a prayer visit. And then go from there. Sounds fun and exciting to me. Plus it sounds like something Jesus would do. I pretty much do this when I go to the Revival Ridge community where Scott and I minister. No one has ever turned my offers for prayer down.

"Dear Jesus, You gave me two challenges today. Forgive, and go about praying for the sick. Just like You did. I say I want to be like You, but do I want to take the action steps? Do I want to forgive over and over and over, all the way to my death on a cross?  I don't even like to read about my precious Jesus doing this for me. All I can say right now is help me Jesus. Help me love like You. Help me forgive like You. Help me forgive all the way to my death. I long to be with You Jesus. I long for the place where there are no more tears. No more pain. No more sorrow. How I long for YOU. AMEN."