“Nicodemus asked, ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!'”. John 3:4
“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked.’Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?'” Matthew 19:16
“Thomas said to him, ‘ Lord we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'” Matthew 14:5
The references sited above may seem desperate and disjointed. Yet, what do they have in common? They are all questions. They are not just questions, but they are all questions posed to Jesus Christ; posed to God.
We too have many questions. What does it mean to truly love your enemy and how do we show that? Are we really supposed to forgive 70 times 7 times, the same person; and forget their offenses too? What does it mean to abide and how do we do that? What does….How does…Why does…When does…..so many questions.
And, here is the problem. We are told that we live in an information age. You type into a search engine: What did Jesus mean by……. and your going to get thousands, if not tens of thousands or more hits; words of information that proport to have the answer. Obviously, I’m going to be able to find the answer somewhere in there. Using my own intellect and discernment, I’ll glean the answer and the way forward. Yea Me!
It’s not just with questions of Jesus Christ or God; we treat each other in the same way. Many years ago, a book came out; Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus by John Gray. I bought the book and it had some interesting postulations although I never read it to the end. Here’s the thing; I wonder how many spouses, partners or friends of both genders have had some sort of challenge with their other half, grabbed and read that book and then thought “Ah Now! I have the answer”. How many times do they then go off and act/behave on that answer without giving a thought toward going to the source about the challenge? That is to say, they never even ask their partner about the issue. How often do we skip the source and do our own research with issues with family members, work colleagues; etc.; again with never bothering to ask the source?
Now I will grant your there are times when our own research is necessary. In the United States we hear a lot about what are “Founding Fathers” wanted or thought. If you were curious about the thoughts of Plato, Confucius, Gandhi or some or some other historic figure who has passed; of course you’d have rely on research. Additionally; if you are curious about President Biden or Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Taylor Swift or some other very famous person; they are extremely difficult to get access to, to ask a question.
Now let’s get to the heart of the matter; asking the vitally important questions about life, faith and love; questions about the nature of our relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Where should I search? Whose the most reputable source? I want http://www.answers!
Well; before you make one click, before you type one search term, before you enter into or call one chatline, ask yourself this: Why am I doing that? Are God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit not alive? Did Jesus not implore us to ask, seek and knock? Did Jesus Christ not say: “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…..(Revelation 3:20). Did not God first send His Son Jesus Christ, to take away our sins through His death and then through His resurrection make it so we could be in relationship with Him? Additionally, did not God send the Holy Spirit to reveal all things to us? With all this Perfect, Willing, Holy sources; why would we go anywhere else; when we have sources Who are both very much alive and oh so willing and desirous of being in a loving relationship with us.?
Dear Sisters and Brothers, having faith in our Heavenly Father, through our Savior Jesus Christ, by and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, does not mean we won’t have questions. However, please, please don’t seek answers to those questions from anywhere else but the Source of our faith. Jesus Christ has promised, He will answer our questions. Jesus Christ declared; we could ask anything of the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is true, Jesus may send us to the scriptures to elucidate an answer for us. He may use some other source (perhaps even some aspect of this blog). However, the answer will always start out with an Answer from the Source; given in perfect love and grace. So understand, to neglect the source in asking our questions of life from the One who created that life is a very perilous thing to do.
Thus Brothers and Sisters, go to the source. If it is an earthly matter, and you have the source available; show respect and ask the source for clarity and understanding; which is also a way of showing caring. If it is a matter of Holiness or Righteousness, there is only a trio of Eternal Sources we can trust. Ask of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and know that the answer will come, it will be perfect and heeding that answer will lead to blessings beyond measure.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we have questions; we have questions of life, of love and of faith. Forgive us most merciful Father, when we turn to ourselves and our own understanding to find the answers to those questions. Turn us back to You, to ask our questions in humility and faith; being confident that You will answer with Your perfect wisdom, mercy and holiness. Give us also the strength and wisdom to share Your answers with others with questions, making sure all realize we are not claiming Your answers as ours, but simply spreading Your word. That in the asking, receiving answers and living out those answers, we might receive Your blessings associated with those answers and live lives that bring honor and praise to Your Most Holy Name. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
“But the Angel said to them: ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy among all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising, God and saying, ‘ Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.'” Luke 2:10-14
“Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.'” Luke 23:24
Forgiveness??? Really??? I can hear you thinking; Doug, I think you’ve got your seasons confused. And yes, the Christian church likes to break its year into certain seasons. This season of Advent is supposed to be one of expectant waiting, of joyful anticipation, of new birth and the gloriously humble beginning of a God come in human, baby form. That is all true.
However, we run the risk of missing the entirety of the love, joy and power of the gift should we compartmentalize the mission of Jesus into various “seasons”. Why write this missive on forgiveness now instead of closer to Easter? (FYI for those who read this sometime in the future this is being written less than two weeks before Christmas) Well, just look around.
This world seems very sadly in dire need of Jesusian (made up I know) levels of forgiveness. Countries are waging wars on their neighbors for perceived slights. Terrorist groups are striking out in rage, hatred and evil against innocents. Churches are fighting and trying to expel some and quit others. Even in families we hear there is such division and strife, especially at what is supposed to be a coming together time of year, that people would rather stay isolated and alone.
But you pushback; I don’t remember the baby Jesus saying goo-goo, gah-gah, your are forgiven Herod. The forgiveness part comes much later. Let us enjoy the baby. And I agree we should enjoy and celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ. Yet remember the angel proclaims that a Savior is born, the saving comes in the form of our Heavenly Father’s Gracious Forgiveness in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; all need to be considered together to have their greatest impact.
So how do I bring forgiveness into this season? By remembering Jesus’s great act of forgiveness on the cross. You see, the world does not know how to truly forgive. Worldly forgiveness mostly requires the aggrieved party getting some acknowledgement from the offender that an offense has taken place. Second the offender must admit fault and communicate some sort of contrition. Then, only then, does the magnanimous aggrieved party make a show of granting merciful forgiveness to the accolades of those around. Quite a few steps and requirements involved.
With Jesus and our Heavenly Father, forgiveness is a much greater, more grace-filled gift. As Jesus hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers were not contrite and admitting their error. Those Jewish leaders presence were not not humbly asking for Jesus’s pardon. That didn’t matter in the least. Jesus knew that they needed forgiveness and the request was between He and His Father in Heaven. Indeed, many of those present would never even accept Jesus’s forgiveness if they were close enough to hear Him cry out.
You see Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, our forgiving is primarily a process for us with God. It has no preconditions or prerequisite actions. It is one imperfect person completely forgiving another. Isn’t this between two people; why bring God into this? Being the imperfect people we are; we can not truly forgive as we should without God’s help. It is that other salvation gift of the Holy Spirit that resides in us, that can allow us to truly forgive as Jesus would want us to and gave us the example to.
So, struggling with a friend or loved one; being around them in what is supposed to be this festive season. Unburden yourself of the anger and judgement, the hurt and despondency, the darkness of bitterness and perhaps hatred by coming to the Lord, through the Holy Spirit in forgiving that one or those whom you believe have acted against you. Do not be dependent on their actions, but allow the Lord to inter into you and bring that true forgiveness only He can bring. Feel the light and love that comes from the act of humble forgiveness being able to see others, no matter whom or what the circumstances through the loving eyes of God.
Tis the Season when we celebrate the gift of Blessed Salvation and FORGIVENESS of our Heavenly Father. Let’s pass that gift on, through God, to all who are in need of it from us, also this season.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we pray a great thanksgiving at the gift of salvation that is Jesus Christ coming in human form. We acknowledge that His sacrificial gift of Himself allowed for the forgiveness needed for us to come into Your eternal presence. Help us to acknowledge our imperfectness and the fact that we wrong and are wronged by others. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, grant us the grace to completely forgive others’ trespasses against us, as You have forgiven us. Help us to forgive as you forgive; completely, and not the only partial forgiveness that the world focuses on. That in counting on You for the unburdening that comes from granting true forgiveness, we might live lives of light and love that bring praise to Your most Holy Name. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen
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