Day Nineteen
Today I want us to continue looking at the passage in Mark 11 where Jesus clearly links forgiveness with the development of mountain moving faith.
Mark 11:22-25
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
The biggest obstacle…the highest mountain, we have to deal with in our faith life is: OUR STRUGGLE TO FORGIVE OTHERS
“If you are praying and you hold anything against anyone…forgive them.” And then Jesus tells us why…“So your Father in Heaven may forgive your sins.”
Does He really mean this?
I really believe He does…
How can you and I live in the forgiveness of God…if we aren’t extending this same forgiveness to those who hurt us?
There are only 2 choices when we are hurt…
Hold it against them, hate them, hope they experience pain, hold onto the debt that they owe you until it’s paid in full, and maybe slander them and gossip about them in revenge, let the cauldron simmer, the poisonous bitterness take hold…OR
Pray for them with the hope of grace. Begin to ask God to move the mountain of hurt into the sea of His forgetfulness. It’s really an act of faith where I’m asking God to change my heart more than the other persons.
This isn’t convenient Sunday morning religion, it’s the core of Christianity, It’s the largest mountain of faith we’re asked to climb…It’s our Calvary and it leads to a cross where we die to self.
In the passage in Mark 11 Jesus, by cursing the fig tree (representing the old system of law), and clearing out the temple was deconstructing the past; the old covenant that had run its course and He was instating a new model that was based on FAITH.
I just feel to say this today, that there are some people who have been the victims of abuse and injury that have created a system of survival in your life, that has helped you get this far, but its time to tear down the walls, the un-forgiveness, clear out the behaviors that have served you in the past and let go of them in faith and embrace a new system based on trust in God, for his protection.
It doesn’t mean you continue to be a doormat, nor does it doesn’t mean you continually put yourself in the place to be abused. There might need to be separation and distance.
But forgiveness seeks peace and unity, forgiveness forgets what payment should be demanded for reparation, and cancels the debt.
I hope the person/people who have hurt you say, “I’m sorry” and really mean it, and change. But that seldom happens and when it doesn’t we still have to deal with the pain.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:43-44)
We might read this scripture and wonder “Could I ever do that?” If so, you’re asking the wrong question…The right question is can I answer Jesus’ call to follow Him as a disciple…because if we answer that question we automatically answer, Can I forgive?
Scripture to meditate on: Matthew chapter 5