Nougat 15

How do we respond to those who intentionally do us harm? Erm … consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” Genesis 50:20 NRSV

““Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

It’s not easy. And as a middle child, my sense of Justice says ‘Wicked people must punish! Even if it’s my twin!’ I usually have a creative punishment worthy of the crime or am framing such in my head. So yes; my natural inclination is towards prohibiting repeats. Thankfully, my preference is NOT Christ’s way, as He and Joseph have demonstrated.

In fact, we recall that at Mount Calvary, while being publicly humiliated, Jesus opted for forgiveness. He forgave us, He forgave Peter, He forgave Judas, He forgave the Chief Priests and Scribes, as well as the Judeo-Roman officials; He forgave the crowd and He travelled to the future to forgive us – you and me.

Joseph’s journey wasn’t quite as spectacular, but he forgave 9 brothers who knowingly conspired for his demise. Yet, Joseph seems to have forgotten the extent of the wrongs, as he understands it as God’s will, rather than ill. Nor did Joseph harbor any malice towards God for his experiences.

I believe that this is how God desires each of us to be with those who have hurt us. It may require us asking God to go back to the future by forgetting and anticipating (it may be that we look forward to God’s purposes, but we have to let go). How about we begin with a simple prayer

Lord, we often find it hard to forgive others who’ve done us wrong. But we ask today that You help us to see Your Grace at work, even in the worst situations. And in so doing, that we seek to give glory to You despite. Help us to see You in the lovely and in the unlovable; for therein lies the Truth of the Gospel. Forgive us our unforgiveness we pray dear Y’shua amen

—

May all we seek be found in Christ