A Reflection on Forgiveness from Mark Bjorgo
Every week we ask for and receive forgiveness for our sins
in worship, but how many other times during the week do we experience
forgiveness?
I’m sure we all can cite examples from our daily lives of how
we forgave a family member, co-worker or neighbor for a small infraction. How
many times do we ask others for forgiveness? How many times do we ask God to
help us forgive others?
This scripture recounts the ultimate example of forgiveness.
During His crucifixion, Jesus asks God to forgive those responsible for His
earthly death. And as the one thief rebukes the insults of the other, Christ
again demonstrates the power of forgiveness by His promise that because of his
faith he would be with Him in paradise that day.
Like many Americans, I went to see the movie Unbroken after
Christmas. It was the magnificent story of World War II POW Louis Zamperini. I
had read the book prior to seeing the movie and was surprised that much of his
story after the war was not included. After surviving the torture he endured in
a Japanese POW camp, Louie returned home and was seen as a hero and celebrity.
But that was not how he felt. He was haunted by the pain and suffering he
endured and had dreams and thoughts of retaliation upon his captors. That was,
until he attended a Billy Graham crusade in 1949 and turned his life over to
the Lord. It was then that he was able to forgive his captors. And it was then
that he was free of his pain and suffering. In Louie’s words, “True forgiveness
is total and complete.”
For me the power and comfort of forgiveness is the feeling
of freedom: freedom from the worry, anxiety, stress or depression of the sins
we commit or that are committed against us. This is the power of forgiveness.
Lord help me realize the power and freedom of forgiveness that your
unselfish act on the cross provides me today and always. Amen
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