Easter Family DevotionalParaugs

The Crucifixion

If we could look back through time and see Jesus stumble to the cross, everything would have looked upside down and round the wrong way. Jesus, the Saviour of the world and Creator of all things, was too weak to even carry His cross. God’s most precious Son was mistreated, mocked and shamed.

After the soldiers had spat on Him, called Him names, mocked Him by giving Him a "crown" of thorns and pretended to worship Him, Jesus says some of the most POWERFUL words ever spoken; “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing." (Luke 23:34)

In the midst of the most horrendous treatment, His friends denying Him and leaving Him alone when He needed them the most, Jesus is more concerned about them than Himself: “They don’t know what they’re doing, Father. It will hurt them, please forgive them.” And in the next moment, while He was in the most unbearable pain, Jesus reached out to the criminals who were being crucified with Him with deep compassion. At the same time, whilst one mocks, He leads the other into eternity with Him. While He was giving up His life and facing unimaginable pain FOR THEM because He loved them, and He forgave them.

We can face horrible things every day that make our hearts hurt. Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever had something happen to you that made you so angry and hurt you so much that you kept thinking about it over and over? Maybe some mean words are stuck in your heart and mind, and you can’t get them out of your head.

Most of us would know what it’s like to be called names, and it can make us feel lonely, unloved, not good enough, and even ashamed. Sometimes we can even hurt others because we are hurt. But Jesus knows that it can hurt us when we don’t forgive and let go of the hurt or anger. He wants us to be free from those words, thoughts, and feelings. They’re only hurting us, not those who said them!

Forgiveness, as Jesus showed, is being kind to those who aren’t kind to you, encouraging others when they are using discouraging words to you, and showing respect to those who haven’t shown respect to you.

RESPONSE/ACTIVITY

Are you holding any unforgiveness or anger towards anyone in your life? If so, remember Jesus and how He forgave the worst possible treatment, the unforgivable. Today, Jesus forgives us if we forgive those who have hurt or harmed us.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

It’s not always easy to forgive, but if we just take one day at a time, forgive one thing at a time, then we can live free.

TODAY’S PROMISE

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

What a cool promise, God is always with us, and He will never leave us.

We CAN be bold and courageous, and we CAN forgive because no matter what names we are called, no matter what people say to us, God, the Creator, the Saviour, the King of Kings will always go with us wherever we go. He has the most beautiful plan for us so we can be free from shame and hurt.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me and for going through all this pain so I can be free. Thank You that You know all my hurts and pain and where I am struggling to let go of thoughts and words in my mind. I am so grateful that You forgive my sins, so please help me be strong and courageous and forgive those who have hurt me. Help me to live every day free of hurt so that I can be the best me that I can be. Amen.