“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
I Peter 2:19-25
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
I Peter 2:1-3
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:5-11
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.”
Isaiah 53:7
The whole Bible is full of such incomprehensible gracious qualities of our Saviour.
As I was meditating on these scriptures at Gods feet the innate goodness and absolute Love of the Lord was revealed to me. Despite knowing everything about me ( us) God keeps on extending Grace upon Grace on us ( John 1:16) allowing us time to mend our ways ( 2 Corinthians 3:16) despite our weaknesses and shortcomings.
One major revelation and conviction God gave was that He knows everything about me
much more than I know about myself. Everything that happens is with His knowledge and consent.
What ignominy Jesus bore on the Cross is simply beyond our comprehension the total rejection persecution and condemnation He faced despite being sinless.
He could still gracefully say ‘ Forgive them Father for they don’t know what they are doing’.
That is the ultimate benchmark of forgiveness set for each human soul on the Cross by our Savior where He crucified His ‘I’ (+) before the will of the Father.
This forbearance we are taught only with the help of the Holy Spirit when we learn to have a mind of Christ ( Philippians 2:5) who did not take offence to any adverse allegation that came Jesus way. ( Mathew 11:19; Mark 2:16; 3:22 ).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank you Father for coming in search of us. Enable each living human soul to have the abundant Grace of forbearance, patience and self control as you were tested and enable us to have a forgiving heart. May your unconditional love rule and reign, rest and abide in our hearts in Jesus name. Amen
Sol.Jasmine James