Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do

 

By Gary Andrews

gary@gadevotionals.com

 

     When Jesus was being nailed to the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34 NKJV

     What a message that our Lord and Savior was giving us even as He was about to be crucified.

     Jesus died between two thieves. One came to repentance and the other was hardened to the ways of the world and wished only to be saved from the cross.

     One of the criminals as he hung on the cross hurled insults at Jesus, saying “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us!” Luke 23:39. NKJV

     In our modern-day times aren’t some of us continuing to hurl insults at Christ? Aren’t many of our friends and acquaintances saying that we need to believe in the world and worldly reasoning to get along with people? Has the age of forgiveness been forgotten?

     There are many times when our friends, relatives, and others try to manipulate one another and end up being cross or mad at each other over something trivial. The days go by and a forgiving spirit is forgotten because the incident is not as fresh as it once was on our minds and we hang on to resentment and chastisement.

     Just as the thief on the cross, we believe in ourselves and what the world teaches instead of giving our lives over to Jesus and trusting in Him for salvation and eternal life. Our hope is not in this world, but peace and contentment are granted to us through Christ and only through Him.

     In Luke 23:40-43 we are told, “but the other criminal rebuked him. “Do you not fear God,” he said, “seeing you are under the same condemnation? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

     Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

     This thief was truly penitent and even though Christ was in His greatest struggle and agony, forgave him of his sins and accepted him into eternal rest.

     The same is true for us today if we will accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. When He calls us home, we too can be sure of having eternal life with Him in a place we call Heaven.

     As we walk this earth, we need to remember that we need to have a forgiving spirit. Matthew 6:14 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

     Prayer - Father, thank you for loving a sinner like me. Help me to forgive others and have understanding just as you have forgiven me for my sins.” Amen.

     (Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday - Matthew 5:43-48; Monday - Proverbs 20:22; Tuesday - Luke 6:35-38; Wednesday - Romans 12:17-20; Thursday - Isaiah 30:21; Friday - Psalm 37:23-24; Saturday -John 15:5-8) A056-09

     

 God has a plan for all of us

 

By Gary Andrews

gary@gadevotionals.com

 

     I love the old traditional hymns that were sung when I was a young boy. I love to watch and hear Bill and Gloria Gaither, and their friends sing those old-time favorites.

     The other day I was watching one of their promotional shows and they were interviewing and talking with their pianist Anthony Burger. At the time I did not realize this taped edition was over three years old until I checked into Burger’s website and found out he went home to be with Jesus in 2006.

     Burger was a concert pianist and his talent on the piano was truly amazing. To see the video of him playing showed his love for what he was doing and for the Lord God. He said that when he played, he didn’t want to play just the music but wanted to play the words and let each one of them sink into the music. This was part of his greatness that allowed him to become one of the top piano players in the world. He was presented many, many awards and was much in demand around the world.

     What impressed me most about this very talented and great musician, other than playing his first solo at the age of three years, was the fact that when he was eight months old, he fell over from his walker onto a floor furnace. He was burned so badly that the doctors told his parents he would never be able to use his hands.

     Burger’s response to this was that God had a plan for his life and his hands. He served the Lord well and won many accolades through his musical talent and gave pleasure to all the ones that have listened to his playing of the piano.

     He left this earth doing exactly what he loved to do. During a cruise with the Gaithers, he died playing the piano. The doctors said his heart just exploded.

     So many of us today give up on what we should be doing with our lives. We have a setback and it deters us from what God may be wanting us to do. We need to always remember what Burger has said many times to his audiences, “I am a simple man, with a majestic instrument and the power of God behind me.”

     All of us need to remember that we are also simple men and women that have the power of God behind us. Just because we stumble and fall sometimes doesn’t mean it is the end of our road. We need to trust Jesus in everything we do.

     Prayer: Thank you Lord for being with me in all that I do or attempt. I pray that you will always guide me in my ways and that whatever I do will honor you. Amen.

     (Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday - Psalm 46:1-2; Monday - Proverbs 3:1-12; Tuesday - Matthew 6: 28-34; Wednesday - Judges 18:1-6; Thursday - Isaiah 29:15; Friday - 1 Peter 1: 17-21; Saturday - James 4:13-17.) A081-09