Intro: During Holy Week, seven staff members from Cypress Creek Christian Church will reflect on the same passage of scripture from Luke’s Gospel. Today, it is Rev. Karl Decker…
Scripture: Luke 23:33-34
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
Thought for the Day: When I read that scripture, it reminded me of a story I heard from a dear friend of mine a few weeks ago. He is involved in prison ministry with me and we have known each other for several years. I had never heard this story before.
Many years ago, my friend’s 11 year old nephew was brutally murdered. I will not go into the details, but let me say, they were hard to listen to. My friend held the two men who did this in “un-forgiveness” for many years. He said, it caused him to become involved in child advocacy after he retired from his career job.
He had a good friend at church who kept asking him to go do prison ministry. Each time, my friend would politely say, “No, I am busy that weekend.” His friend was persistent and finally wore him down. My friend agreed, but was not sure how he would handle the possibility of meeting someone who might have done something similar to what had been done to his nephew. The thoughts of that caused him to really wrestle with his faith, his thoughts and his spirit.
My friend finally came to the decision that the only way he would ever make peace with himself and to be able to do prison ministry would be for him to forgive those two men for what they had done.
My friend said that as soon as he got down on his knees and asked Jesus to help him forgive those men, it was if a giant weight was lifted off his shoulders. He was able to enter the prison and do the ministry that God had called him to do with no stress, no regrets, and no anger towards anyone.
I have asked myself several times since then, if I could ever be as forgiving if I were in the same situation. I am really not sure if I could, but I hope that I might.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the creator of the universe and you sent your only Son to take on the sin of the world and asked nothing in return except for us to love you and one another. I know in my heart, it is sometimes hard to love the unloveable, but help me keep in mind that you love all your children. The sins I have committed are no better or worse than those whom I might find it hard to forgive. I ask that you would give me the strength like my friend to be able to forgive those I need to forgive and to love even my enemy. I thank you for all the blessings you have provided for me and I know I can never come close to repaying them, but give me a servants heart, so that I may do my best to serve those whom you love in humbleness, kindness, and forgiveness. This I ask in your Son Jesus Christ’s Holy Name, AMEN!
THIS MORNING
Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt
10am – Noon
TONIGHT
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
“The Man in the Middle”
7:00pm in the Centrum
…and don’t forget to sign-up for:
