What does forgiveness mean?  The human physiological construct consists of five senses and numerous feelings such as: happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, pity etc.  Every day in our lives we are tested by these feelings.  They come and go unknowingly but we are expected to deal with them nevertheless.  One of our basic struggles is our reaction toward an action.  What should we do when out brother or sister does ill against us?  We are then confined to two decisions: either we return the favour or we forgive and forget.  Most of the times,  because of who we are or how we are created, we tend to return the favour.  To forgive and forget is somehow the most difficult thing for us to do.  Here’s a story that just might open your eyes and heart a little.

“I was born many, many years ago, not in a hospital or clinic, but in a stable filled with farm animals.  My parents weren’t rich or wealthy but I loved them nevertheless.  From birth, my father made it known to me that I was born for a purpose, so I began my mission from day one.  Everything that I learnt, my father taught me because he was at my side every second.  I have a very loving heart so I would share whatever I knew with persons around, whoever they may be.  In all I did, I depended on the instructions of my father and the power that he would give me. I remember when I was twelve years old, I was telling some high priests and teachers in the temple about my father and what he can do – how magnificent he is, and what a great teacher he is to all of us.  As I got older, I was led to be baptized for I was told it was a stepping stone to doing my father’s will.  I loved my father dearly so I refused to disobey him.  I let my main focus be on him only.

            After being baptized, I fasted and prayed in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights because I knew I had to become a well-prepared vessel for my father to use.  It wasn’t easy but, like I said, my focus was about my father’s will.  And so it began.  I started to let people know about my father, what he had sent me to do, what he had sent me to say and who he had sent me to touch.  He told me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more, tell blind people that they can see and set the down-trodden free.  With the power my father had given me, I was able to perform miracles, heal the sick and wounded, make the blind see, make the lame walk, turn water into wine, feed a multitude with five fish and two loaves of bread, preach the words of my father and teach his ways.  I even raised a little girl from the dead and my beloved brother, Lazarus, too when everyone thought all hope was gone.  I was a light for the world to see and believe that my father is alive in me and he can be alive in you too. 

I was sent to make way for those who have sinned and needed saving, helping them to believe that there is a second chance in their lives to make things right again. I was their hope, joy, love and comfort.  I did all this so that people would come closer to my father. I knew in my heart, though, that not everyone would believe.  There were some who spat on me, others called me a false prophet and did everything in their power to plant disbelief in the hearts of many; but I knew that I was about my father’s business and, despite what, my purpose had to be fulfilled.

Then it came to pass that my reason for being here had come to an end.  People who didn’t believe in me or my father sent me to be tried.  You see, I was very simple, humble and meek, honest at heart and pure.  I had no sin of my own.  I knew that I was created to fulfill my father’s will and my life had to be exchanged for a whole world of people.  I was put to trial.  I was found guilty of sharing the good news, performing miracles and of helping those who believe in my father, to continue in faith.   I knew that I had done nothing wrong but, to others, what I did was against their law.  For that, I had to be punished.  This was the hardest part of my life but, knowing that my father loves me and I live him – knowing that he loves his children and I love his children too – his will had to be done.  I was beaten by soldiers; I was given a crown of thorns; I was spat on; and I had to carry my own cross to Calvary to be crucified.  I was pierced on the side with a Roman spear.  With sweat and blood dripping, I made it to Calvary. On Calvary, I was nailed to the cross and left for dead.  Before I had closed my eyes from this world, despite all the persecution I was subjected to, all the beatings, I turned to my father and I asked him to forgive his children for they knew not what they had done.  I’m sure he did...”

Sometimes as Christian people, we tend to forget our creator and we take things into our own hands.  I remember a question was asked: “How oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Till seven times?”  I remember the answer being: “I say not unto thee, until seven times; but until seventy times seven.” (Matt. 18 – 21).  Even in the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. Forgiveness is difficult, yes, but it wasn’t difficult for Jesus to forgive us for what we did to Him and every day, hour, minute, second that we sin, it is not hard for God to forgive us our sins.

                                                                Submitted by:

                                                                Sis. Daniella Lucas