44. Radical in his forgiveness.

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) Didn't they really know what they were doing? They thought they were executing a man for blasphemy but little did they know that they unwittingly ended up sacrificing the Lamb of God! Nevertheless, they were guilty of shedding innocent blood yet Jesus was radical in his forgiveness. Some who heard him utter these profound words were astounded, like the thief on the cross but some others sneered at him. (Luke 23:35-43)Therefore the day is coming when his enemies will be made his footstool. '"Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'(Psalm 110:1, Acts 2:34-36) Jesus has set a new standard : 'Forgive as the Lord forgave'(Colossians 3:13) which is higher than the earlier standard : "Forgive, and you will be forgiven."(Luke 6:37) It's not an option to forgive because there are no two ways to it! "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured ... This is how the heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:33-35) Let's not stake our salvation by our unforgiveness but rather be radical in our forgiveness like Christ! Amen.