THANKFUL

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, help us to love as you love. You were betrayed, mocked, unjustly accused and nailed to a cross by people who just a few days earlier hailed you with “Hosanna to the King” as you triumphally entered Jerusalem. Now these same people stood in the courtyard yelling “Crucify Him!” Hanging from the cross, you looked down on those shaking their fists in anger at you, screaming for your death. Only your love for each person, including me, held you on the cross, paying for their/my sins. Only your love compelled you to pray, “Father forgive them. They know not what they do!” Weeks after your resurrection, many of this crowd would come to you in repentance and make you the Lord of their life. Many of this crowd would one day also face persecution, or for some, death, for their faith.

Show us how to love as through we have never been hurt by love. Our humanity convinces to avoid another risk of heartache, don’t put ourselves in a vulnerable situation—never take another chance on love. But you loved those people crying for your death then as much as you loved them after they came to you for salvation. Lord, that kind of unrestrained, unconditional love is beyond our human ability.

“How can I love and forgive those who don’t deserve my grace? Didn’t you see how they hurt my family, my kids, my friends, my country, my church? Were you looking away when their lies accosted my character, my faith?” Then your Spirit reminds me I didn’t deserve grace either. I was like one of the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” I need your Spirit within me to help love and forgive those who offended me, and who really, offended you.

Forgive our sins, Heal our nation. We ask you to heal the sick, raise the spiritually dead, build your holy character in us so we honor you with our lives. In all we do may we remember we are a product of your grace in all we do.

Loving as if I’ve never been hurt, Jesus. Amen.