What is the most hideous action anyone has ever committed? This is not hard to answer, for it was a sin against the One who least deserved the blow. The worst sin ever committed was by those who condemned and crucified Christ.
And what was Christ’s response to this horrible atrocity?
When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:33-34)
Jesus forgave them and pled with God to forgive them because of something He understood.
GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN
Jesus knew His Father’s heart of love for Him and He knew His Father had a plan for His brief earthly existence. He was to live a sinless life, die a sacrificial death, and be victoriously raised from the dead to give life to all who would believe. It was all a part of a Divine, loving agenda. Most of Jesus’ life was hard, less than He would have enjoyed had He stayed in heaven. But Jesus was willing to submit to God’s plan for His Father’s sovereign purposes.
When others, through their sinfulness, played a part in that plan, (crucifying Jesus), Christ knew that this fit into the plan. It was not God committing evil (for He cannot), but God using evil to accomplish His purposes.
Because of this understanding, Jesus did not lash out in anger or revenge against those who hurt Him. He forgave and prayed for them. He embraced it as a necessary part of the plan.
HIS PLAN FOR YOU
Do you think that God has a plan for you? That He knows what He is about with your life? That He longs to use your life to mold and make you and then use you for His glorious purposes? Purposes that would bless Him, bless you, and bless others?
And do you suppose that in this plan, He can use evil—even things which others do that hurt you—to accomplish this plan? That the light of Christ in you could shine brightest against the darkness of what others may do to you?
Then why lash out in anger or resentment? Why hold a grudge? Why would you desire to make others pay who have hurt you? Understanding that God works all things together for good for those who are “called according to His purpose,” why not forgive them and pray for them? If you do, it will make what the Enemy and evil men planned for your harm turn into a channel for the glory of God to come.
Father, thank You that no one can do anything to me that can thwart Your plan for my good and usefulness as I trust You. Give me the grace to accept this and to forgive my offenders and pray for them. And let me begin right now.
