The Miracle of forgiveness! Letting the stone go. Someone is angry at you, something you said offended them. Asking for forgiveness is an amazing experience but it’s easier to simply just let it slide, especially if it’s someone you’re not going to run into. It takes courage to walk up to someone and say “can I talk with you. I owe you an apology and I want to ask for your forgiveness.” Do we have the ability to forgive? Are we willing to say those words “I forgive you?” His face had been slapped, harsh words had been spoken to him, he had been beat and now someone spits in his face. This is an awful day but with all that is going on this man finds time and words to forgive.
Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. The voices are loud, this man is being bitten, he is thrown out of the city, the stones began to fly, one hits in above the eye another on his cheek bone, another in the head, the stones are coming now faster and faster he falls to the ground. The pain is excruciating he is rushed upon and more stones and more and more and just before this poor man dies he raises up with words of forgiveness.
Acts 7:59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Acts 7:60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Years ago I was working a factory job; we went work at 7 and got off at 3. The plant was closed on the week of July 4. For some reason they wanted to start an hour early on the last day we were to work before the plant closed. I couldn’t see the benefit but none the less that’s what was to be. There was no way I could go to work at 6 the nursery where our children stayed didn’t open until 6:30 each morning and sad to say that plant starting an hour early wasn’t that important to them. I told my supervisor that there was no way I could be there at 6 and he told me get there as soon as I could. I did but when I arrived my supervisor and his supervisor were waiting for me. His supervisor began to yell at me I just stood there for a moment hoping he would cool down but he just got louder. That is when I told him that he wasn’t going to talk to me like that but he kept yelling and then I yelled back at him telling him once again he wasn’t going to talk like that to me. Then he said come with me to my office. Now on the way to his office I began to feel like I handled the matter wrong so when we walked into his office I said before you say anything else I would like to apologize for my actions and ask for your forgiveness. He looked at me and never raised his voice again to me and then told my supervisor to help me get my work done. Forgiveness is a wonderful gift that we possess that is hidden in plain sight. It costs nothing and is worth millions. It is available to everyone and used by few. If you harness the power of forgiveness, you will be sought after and regarded highly. Not coincidentally, you will also be forgiven by others!
