Sometimes people hurt us. They may hurt us physically.
They may hurt us with their words. They may bully us or attempt to torment us psychologically.
They may hurt us by withholding their love or attention. They may act as if they have never even known us.
They may deceive us or betray us.
It hurts.
Jesus had all these experiences. He understands what it is like to be hurt.
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain.”
Isaiah 53:3
Jesus was fully human and yet He was also God. He created every human being and He knew them all.
“In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him, all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”
John 1:1-3
“The Word became flesh and made His Dwelling among us.”
John 1:14
Additionally Jesus had the added perspective of knowing the pasts, presents and futures of everyone.
He knew every person who would hurt Him. Even so, He stayed with them, fed them, washed their feet and taught them through both His Words and His Example.
He looked upon all of them with Love. He saw them as He had created them to be. Nothing they did or would do could change His View of them. He knew them. He loved them.
And He forgave them, not after the pain was over, but in the midst of the pain. He held them in such esteem He petitioned His Father to forgive them.
“Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34
The greatest gift we can give to honor Jesus this Good Friday is to offer the same Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness to everyone who hurt us and is hurting us now.
On your journey to the cross, remember the people who hurt you.
Ask God to allow you to see them as He created them to be.
Ask God’s Forgiveness for seeing them any other way. Ask God’s Forgiveness for retaining any hurt or bitterness.
Ask God to forgive you for the times you tried to get rid of your pain by passing it on to others. Commit to Him that from this day forward you will only be an Instrument of His Peace and Love.
Today is the day to allow Jesus to take your pain and grief to the cross. It is there you will find Mercy and Grace both for yourselves and also others.
When Jesus says from the cross, “it is over!” know His Words are being spoken to you.
When you have asked for and received forgiveness and have extended your forgiveness to others, your old life of pain and bitterness will be over.
Your new Life will begin in ways you cannot even begin to imagine!
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love Him-“
1 Corinthians 2:9
“He who began a good work in you (and them) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6
“Grace and Peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Peter 1:2
