Your MoveSample

The hardest thing about being hurt by someone we love or someone we care about is that it feels so personal. We think they knew exactly what they were doing and went ahead and did it anyway. If that’s the case, it means they did more than just hurt us. Knowing what they were doing and doing it anyway makes the offense intentional and the person who did it cruel. It takes a courageous amount of grace, compassion, and kindness to choose to believe that the person who hurt us didn’t mean to. Even if they did do it on purpose, it doesn’t define who they are as a person. That’s what makes Jesus’ words in the verse powerful.

As Jesus is being led to His death and people are taking advantage of His vulnerability, instead of judging them or condemning them, He offers them grace. “They don’t know what they are doing,” He said. Meaning, that if they understood the hurt and pain they were causing, they wouldn’t do it. If they came to their senses, they would stop. This is a thing they are doing, but this isn’t who they are. Imagine if we treated people with that same kindness! Not because they deserved it, and not because what they did didn’t hurt, but because we are choosing to believe they are more than their worst act. If they understood what they had done, they never would have done it in the first place. It might take something close to a miracle to choose to see others that way. But Jesus did it when He had every reason not to, and I think we can do the same.

Why not try it today? When someone hurts you, try praying for them, saying, “God this isn’t who they are. They don’t know. Help me forgive the act and love the person.”