Jesus Radical Forgiveness
Submitted by Ford Prefect on June 04 2000 14:47:17
In reply to The story of David and Bathsheba submitted by Forgiven on June 04 2000 03:43:06
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Again and again we hear of Jesus forgiveness and how he freely gave it to any who sought it: directly in the story of the woman caught in adultery, indirectly in all the cures he granted (forgiveness connected with healing in the cure of the paralytic), most dramatically in his words from the cross to those who tortured and killed him, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," in his parables and teachings, most notably the story of the "prodigal son" or more accurately, the story of the forgiving father. The father who, when he saw his son returning, didn't wait for apologies and explanations, but rushed out to meet the son and immediately called for a big party. Sure, I find it much easier to be merciful when I can temper that mercy with a measure of vengence, but that's not what Jesus calls us to. Instead he wants us to be forgiving as he is forgiving and lets us know this by telling us to forgive an unlimited number of times (7 times seventy), in the parable of the unforgiving servant, in the Lord's prayer, in his call for us to be united with him and the Father and, most radical of all, in the call to love our enemies. These are things I know I could never do on my own; only in union with him. Still, the pain and suffering that are consequences of our own sins and those of others remain, not as a punishment inflicted upon us by God, but a result we and others have chosen. We must live with these consequences and so must the rest of humanity. But in choosing Jesus we can to forgive, we thus can be freed of the guilt and washed clean. ---Ford |
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