Easter Love
The lies. The betrayal. The selfishness. The injustice. The unrepentance. The apathy. Right when I think I’ve finally let it go, the hurt and pain come flooding back. These feelings have flooded my mind and body so many times. The right word said, the right image seen, the right day that comes. It’s hard to express the effects that other people can have on you in their sins against you.
I’ve prayed for the strength to forgive my enemies, yet it seems so hard. Forgiveness doesn’t take away the pain they caused. Forgiveness doesn’t take away the hurt. How do you put someone’s offenses against you in the past, when their offenses and what they caused are so ever present?
It’s Easter, which means Christians across the world are remembering Jesus’s sacrifice for them in His death and His triumph over sin and death in the resurrection. While there are many truths to reflect on during Easter, I’m drawn to the reality of Jesus’ forgiveness and love this Easter.
How could the God of the universe forgive His enemies? How could He forgive me? Forgiveness doesn’t erase the pain and hurt I’ve caused. My lies. My betrayal. My selfishness. My injustice. My unrepentance. My apathy. The hurt and pain that I caused to this world, to other people, and to God Himself. How could God forgive me, and why would He love me, after everything I’ve done against Him? If I were God, I don’t know if I’d have it in me to forgive and love someone like me.
But He has and does. Somehow, in some love unimaginable, the God of the universe loved me enough to look past my offenses and what they caused. He loved me in spite of them. He loved me enough to call me to Himself. He loved me enough to forgive me. He loved me enough to send His Son for me that I may be reconciled to Him. And He still loves me enough to forgive me to this day when I hurt Him. What kind of love is this?
Jesus died to forgive me. Jesus died to cleanse me of sin. Jesus died to call me to Himself. Jesus died so that I wouldn’t have to. Jesus died so that reconciliation could be possible. Jesus died for me, even though it cost Him for something He didn’t do.
But, Jesus also died so that I too could forgive others. Jesus died so that I could die to myself and forgive and love others like He did and does. Jesus died so that His love may be poured out into my heart so that I could (Rom. 5:5). The same love that overlooks my offenses at the cross has been given to me so that I may love others and look past theirs.
Matthew 5:44–45 (ESV) says, “But I [Jesus] say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”” For the Son of God, this is what love meant. For sons of God, this must be what love means.
Good Friday reminds us of the cost that came with our forgiveness. Easter reminds us of the promise that came with our forgiveness.
Good Friday shows us that there is cost in forgiveness. Easter shows us that there is promise too in this forgiveness.
Good Friday reminds us of how Jesus loved His enemies. Easter reminds us of how Jesus triumphs over His enemies in this love.
Good Friday shows us how to love our enemies. Easter shows us how this love leads to our triumph in Christ.
I may still suffer from the pain and hurt that others caused. Yet, I am to forgive them as I have been forgiven by Christ. I follow Christ; I am to forgive and love as He did. This is the mark of a Christ follower. So then, in answer to the question presented early, the way I forgive my enemies is through a love that I have been given, one that is from the God of love, in response to the One who loves me.
May my life show a forgiven son who belongs to a forgiving Heavenly Father, trying to follow in the love of the Son of God, who showed me His love and enabled me to love like He does. He loved and forgave me, His enemy, so I must love and forgive mine.
This is Easter love.
Happy Easter, O’ Theophilus.
caleb
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Matthew 6:14–15 (ESV): For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.