8-3-2015

  Good Morning All!!

           Luke 23:47; “Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”

     “No fair!!”  How many times as a child did you say this or how many times as a parent have you heard this?  It comes up on playgrounds around the world many times a day.  The idea that things have to be fair; things have to, somehow, balance out in life is the cornerstone of many people’s life.  I can remember when I served on our local school board and listened to parents complain about how some school policy or some teacher’s action was unfair to their child.  I remember thinking, once in a while, that I agreed with them; the student was better treated than they deserved.  Yet it always came back to fairness and I remember wondering if “fairness” had become our code word for “I get 51%”.  In order for something to be fair; it must be to my benefit.

    That is part of what our verse for today is about, fairness.  The centurion in our verse was the man in charge of Jesus’ execution.  It was his job to see that Jesus was on the cross until he died.  He, or those he designated, was to remain until the prisoner was dead.  As the centurion, stood his watch he witnessed the darkness over the land, the earthquake and the tearing of the temple curtain.  The people around were shaken and the centurion noted that this man was innocent and that was the point.  Jesus was innocent of any sin yet he bore the sins of all, especially yours and mine.  It really wasn’t fair, was it?

    Forgiveness is never fair.  Forgiveness is not about circumventing or avoiding God’s justice; the price was paid.  Forgiveness is not about allowing or excusing wickedness or unjust behavior.  Forgiveness is not about denying the hurt or about being weak.  Forgiveness requires courage to move forward.  Forgiveness is not fair and it is not the natural human reaction.  Forgiveness is a choice to express love to the other person.  God chose to forgive you.  It required his great love and mercy to accomplish this.  It took the death of his son to pay the price.  His love poured out upon us because of love; not because it was fair but because he loved us.  It was his decision and his choice.

    Forgiveness is a choice and is one way.  You choose to forgive the other person because forgiveness is never earned, deserved or fair.  It is a loving act to dismiss or release the debt that is owed to you.  Forgiveness frees us from the pain that occurs when relationships are cracked or even broken.  Forgiveness, by God, frees us from the penalty of sin so that we may also be free from the guilt and the shame of sin.  Forgiveness is the first step in reconciling with your brother.  God takes that first step with us so that we can take that first step with others.

Father, it was not fair that Jesus had to pay for my sins but I give you thanks for this great gift.  Give me strength to rely on your forgiveness.  Lead me to forgive as you have forgiven.  Give me strength to forgive myself so that I may forgive others and renew the companionship that is your gift to all mankind.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret