A Thought for Holy Week

Suppose for a moment that I have wronged you in some way. Suppose, just hypothetically, that last night I broke into your house and stole your t.v. set. Just to add insult to injury, lets say that we're neighbors and you can see me sitting in my living room with the remote control just watching the daylights out of your t.v. You are so mad you can't see straight. But we're friends and neighbors and so out of the goodness of you heart, you decide to forgive me.

You go over to my house and knock on the door. You say, "Daffy, I know that you broke into my house. You defiled the sanctity of my home and took something that belonged to me. However, I realize that these things are only material and I value our relationship more. So, I'm here to tell you that I forgive you."

That would be very unusual of most people to do and very big of you, considering that I have answered the door with a bowl of popcorn in my hand. (I was getting ready to watch the Beverly Hillbillies.)

Now, suppose at this moment I slam the door or I say, "Who cares?" and walk away. I'm not sorry for anything I've done. I have no consideration for your feelings or the fact that even though I wronged you, you have made an incredible gesture of reconciliation. Let's face it, you didn't even mention me returning your brand new, giant plasma-screen t.v.

How would you feel? Would you still forgive me?

That's why what Jesus did is so awe-inspiring. We were and are the ones in the wrong. We sent him to a horrible death for things that we did. It should have been us on that cross but--Jesus said, "No. I've got you covered."

All that He asks is that we admit we did wrong, trust in His salvation and follow His leadership. In short, accept His forgiveness.

Imagine now that Jesus is standing outside your door, saying, "Hey, I know you killed me. But it's okay. I forgive you." Can you walk away? Slam the door in His face?

Denying His gift is to add insult to injury. How would you feel?