Daily Power #34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

When I was growing up, I would perform magic tricks, and my sister, Lisa, three years younger, was usually my assistant. We often did the trick where I put her in a little box and made her disappear. Only sometimes I’d lock her in the box and just leave her locked in there, which I thought was hysterical—Lisa, not so much. (Okay, it might have been a lot of times.)

The amazing thing, though, is that my sister always forgave me—at least until I did it the next time. It didn’t really make sense to me then, but looking back, I now realize I got a glimpse of Jesus’ love in her forgiveness. Because Jesus forgave the very people who killed him—while they were doing it.

People spit on him, cursed him, mocked and laughed at him. “King of the Jews? Then why don’t you save yourself!” they shouted. And instead of defending himself or explaining what was actually taking place, Jesus prayed for them: “Father, they don’t know what they’re doing—please forgive them.”

I’m convinced that learning to love like Jesus means learning to forgive like him too. Ultimately, Jesus came to forgive all sinners—including you and me. But as we are forgiven, Jesus calls us to forgive each other. Forgiveness is the power of his love in action.

Power Lift

Jesus, give me the power to do what is not humanly possible—to forgive others when they hurt me. Just as you’ve forgiven me for my sins, today help me to forgive the people who have wounded me.