This past week, we ended the series called the King's Speech. These past weeks, we've been going through different topics that Jesus addresses in the famous Sermon on the Mount. This past week, I talked about revenge and forgiveness!
Jesus addresses these topics in Matthew 5:38-45 when he says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (bolding added)
Many times, we have seen Jesus in this sermon say "you have heard..." and "but this is what I say...". So as we talk about revenge, I want to share with y'all some modern quotes of revenge that we have heard a lot.
"There's nothing I do better than revenge." (a title of Taylor Swift's song)
"Don't get mad, get even."
"Get the last laugh."
"Revenge is sweet."
"Nothing's better than revenge."
"I was just doing to him what he did to me." (one I've been guilty of using that myself)
These might sound familiar to you, but for you to want to seek revenge, someone has to first hurt you. Some hurts are smaller; you forget about them easily, but some hurts last a long time. They are like stains. No matter how many times you wash them; they're still there. We don't just wear these pains out in the public. These are the pains that are hard to forgive. Check out this video and see if there are some pains that you can relate to.
That quote in the end is a quote that was found in the journal entry of Mary Karen Read, a victim from the VA Tech shootings, before she died. Her dad shared these words at her memorial as a reminder of what needed to be done.
Let's look at the "this is what I say..." part now. Jesus says don't just forgive, go further, love those that are hard to love.
So what is forgiveness? Let's start with what it is NOT. Forgiveness is not forgetting. It is not avoiding the problem or ignoring it. And forgiveness is not saying the words, "I forgive you." Forgiveness is a process! Sometimes it takes a long time to forgive someone. It can be a daily struggle, but it is a freeing act! Instead of bitterness and grudges, you have a relationship that sincerely looks like nothing even happened because you aren't holding something against that person. It is a pardon, a free pass.
Let's look at why we forgive! Perhaps the most important thing to understand in the process of forgiving. We're going to look at a verse, Luke 23:34b. The setting is one you might be familiar with (the reason why we celebrate Easter). Jesus is on the cross. He has been mocked, spit on, insulted, beaten and now he is dying on the cross. Let's look at what He has to say even in the act of dying a death He does NOT deserve. "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"
Why do we forgive? Because He has forgiven us!!! He forgave you! even when YOU have hurt Him, YOU have ignored Him, YOU have betrayed Him, and when YOU have abused His love. and guess what? He forgave YOU.
What a cool feeling! To know I have been forgiven. Now, it's our turn to follow Christ's example and to forgive others! At least start the process!
