Messiah’s Last Words: Easter ReflectionsSample

Grace to Forgive

Written by Nancy Gavilanes

Luke 23:34 says: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

The kidnapping of nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter in 2023 while they were living in Haiti made international headlines. Despite being held hostage for thirteen days, the New Hampshire native said she didn’t hold any grudges against her abductors and that her clinic doors would be open to them if they were ever sick or wounded. “I love you in Christ, and one day I hope to hug you in heaven,” she said.

While it’s astounding that Alix found the courage and strength to forgive her captors, we know that Jesus left us the best example of how we can find the grace to forgive those who hurt, offend, or mistreat us.

He didn’t just tell us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us, in Matthew 5:43-48; He modeled extreme forgiveness at the cross. Christ was beaten, mocked, and crucified for our sake even “while we were still his enemies,” as we read in Romans 5:10. But instead of pronouncing curses over His tormentors, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

While there’s no excuse for anyone to mistreat someone else, let’s ask God for the grace to release any anger or bitterness we may be feeling. Jesus wants us to live in a healthy relationship with Him and with others. Let’s forgive as we’ve been forgiven by God, according to Matthew 6:12—walking in love and following Christ’s example.

How can you become more forgiving? Who do you need to forgive?

Let’s pray.

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Please help me to be more forgiving.

Amen.