The season of spring brings renewal to the earth after the winter’s gray, cold and often bleak conditions. It is a time when anticipation seems bigger. We look forward to the outdoor options and traditions of this renewing season. I personally love the spring and all the life it awakens in God’s creation! I anticipate seeing budding trees, small wildflower blooms and all the activity of birds, bees, and the frisky squirrels that seems to be everywhere in my neighborhood. Spring is also a season that brings increased focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The celebration of Easter has been a favorite for me since I was a young child. Recently, I found an old photo of myself in a frilly dress with a matching bonnet and of course very shiny shoes with lace trimmed socks holding a big Easter basket. Yep, I am from a bygone era. What a memory! Seeing that photo stirred many emotions, some made me smile and some held a darkness I try to forget. It was in the trying to forget moments that I lifted my eyes upward and ask Jesus to refocus my heart and mind on Him, His gifts, His examples, and His promises for all the days ahead.
Jesus’ life among us was filled with challenges, harsh encounters with authorities and individuals, disappointment from those closest to him and betrayal. In my quiet time this week, it occurred to me that all of His engagement with others and His teachings shared a common element. Jesus was in a constant state of caring about others, healing, guiding, teaching, but most importantly continuously forgiving the weaknesses, hurtfulness, and disrespectfulness that came to Him, even from those who were closest to Him.
No doubt, all of us have experienced hurts and disappointments because of the actions of others. We can find it hard to surrender the hurt and find the way to forgiveness of them. In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells us that there should not be a count or limit to how many times we forgive. Peter’s question in this section of scripture reveals how limited our view of forgiveness can be toward others. Jesus knew the end from the beginning and stayed His course so that we would know what forgiveness holds for us. The forgiveness that Jesus lived, taught, preached and died to prove is the taproot for our freedom, life with joy, and eternal life with Him and our Father God.
Every time you remember a hurt, disappointment, disrespectful treatment, remember the Master Teacher and – forgive again. Forgiveness is not a one-time thing. You will need to choose it repeatedly, over and over again – even if the offense and sin happened years ago. So, it’s good to be reminded that every time you remember, choose to forgive again. For your freedom, joy, and peace, forgive again. Don’t allow bitterness and pride to be planted and grow in your heart. Surrender it quickly to the Lord.
I pray all the blessings of the risen Lord surround you this Easter season and always!
