Easter wonderings and rock-hard truth

As Jesus hung nailed to those old pieces of wood more than 2,000 years ago, he knew he was being brutally murdered by offended people whose offence had escalated into hatred. He was innocent and they were guilty. They mocked while he died an unthinkably horrific death.

He had every right and reason to think how unfair it all was. What about that moment of utter darkness (both physical and spiritual) when he cried out to God, “Why have you forsaken me?” Will we ever wrap our little minds around that one necessary moment in time when Father and Son were separate, as God-in-the-flesh let go of his flesh?

Yet, enduring the torture, Jesus reached down into the reservoir of His strength and laboured in his weakened condition to speak in their defense.

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). As huge as their offense was, His forgiveness was greater.

And He expects nothing less from us. He knew that the people who were hurting him were not His enemies. He saw them as innocent victims who had been manipulated and used by His enemy, satan.

Christ Before Pilate, Mihaly Munkacsy (1880) The Bridgeman Art Library

Likewise—and it will take effort—we need to see that behind every offense is our adversary, the devil, busily "seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). His target is not the person who offended you, but his target is actually you. His plan is to get you to hold onto the offense and open the doors of unforgiveness. Don’t let him.

And have a happy Easter!