"And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" (Luke 23:34)
The final track on Peter Gabriel's album from last year is a powerful meditation on forgiveness. It is a song worthy of our attention, especially if we call ourselves Christians. Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. God forgives us, but we also have to practice forgiveness.
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt. 6:14-15)
We love to reflect on how we are forgiven, but practicing forgiveness is difficult. We do not easily let go of the wrongs that have been committed against us. We sometimes cling to them until they turn into bitterness, anger, or rage. We long for justice, but God calls us to abandon vengeance and to forgive.
Why?
We are to forgive because we are to be like Jesus. He forgave his killers while they were in the act of murdering him. Some believe a person needs to repent or show remorse before they are deserving of forgiveness, but Jesus did not expect this. He did not wait for his murderers to recognize the extent of their actions. He forgave them in that moment and let them know so.
We are to forgive because a world without forgiveness would be a terrible place to live. What happens when there is no forgiveness? People get canceled. Vengeance thrives. Violence rules the day. A world without forgiveness would be an awful place where people bite and devour one another until no one is left. Forgiveness is not easy. Jesus chooses to absorb the hate and violence so that it does not continue. He stops the evil from growing so that love can flourish in its place.
We forgive because it is what is best for us. We allow someone else to control our lives when we refuse to forgive. Bitterness and anger take over. We become a person that others don't want to be around. When we choose forgiveness, we are choosing freedom. When we let go of the wrongs and sins others have committed against us, we can finally become the person God wants us to be. We can grow into the image of Jesus and live a blessed and abundant life.
Peter Gabriel understands what happens to a person when they refuse to forgive. His song is a plea to give up getting revenge and to forgive. It is not easy, but it is the best way to live.
Just how long do you want to hate
With all that anger to burn?
You dream of revenge
And you dream a reply
You hope that someday we learn
Every time you think of that hurt
It spins around in your mind
With an eye for an eye
Again and again
Until the whole world is blind
This is how it turns
This is what we do
This is who we are
When we forgive we can move on
Release all the shackles one by one
We belong to the burden until it's gone
- Peter Gabriel, Live and Let Live
No comments:
Post a Comment