One of the most remarkable examples that Jesus set for us was His willingness to forgive those who nailed Him to a cross.

Luke 23:33-34 (ESV)
³³  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

It is amazing that Jesus would even think about asking the Father to forgive these people at that particular moment.  He must have been in a great deal of pain and discomfort.  He is being completely humiliated, having been almost completely stripped of his clothes (Mark 15:20).  The man who knew no sin is being treated like a common criminal just like the thieves being crucified with Him.  Still, Jesus found it in His heart to ask His Father to forgive the ones who were treating Him so badly.

To follow Jesus is to be willing to forgive those who sin against us.  This is critical, not only to be like Christ, but also for the salvation of our own souls.  How can we expect God to forgive us if we are not willing to forgive others?  The truth is, He will not.

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

While this is an important warning from Jesus about the willingness to forgive others, our primary reason for forgiving should not be to be forgiven ourselves.  If we really want to be like Christ, we need to ask ourselves why Jesus was so willing to forgive those who were crucifying Him.  It was not because He was worried about not being forgiven Himself.  It was because of the love and compassion that He had for man, even His enemies.  That is what we need to emulate in Christ.  If we love the way He did, forgiving others will not be a problem.

When we think about what Jesus forgave, it seems silly for us to hold grudges.  What is the worse thing that anyone has done to you?  I am sure it pales in comparison to being crucified.    To be sure, many people have been treated in the most despicable and inhuman fashion.  Our hearts are saddened when we hear about it.  However, most of you reading this blog, while you may have been sinned against from time to time, have never experienced anything so drastic.  Most of us have only been wounded by words or actions, far less than being tortured on a cross.  Still, some refuse to forgive.

Why do some members of the church refuse to forgive?  The short answer is because they are not Christlike.  They may call themselves Christians, but they do not behave like Christ.  Sometimes pride gets in the way.  That is something that Jesus never allowed to happen.  Sometimes it is merely a lack of love, something that Christ never lacked.  Let us have the same love and care for others as Jesus has, and it will help us to follow the example of forgiving.  Every time we do so, we become a little more like Him.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.