Blogging Through the Gospels: Forgive and be thankful for forgiveness

The reading for Friday is Luke Chapter 23.

Here is what I heard:

Scripture

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Observation:

As He was being brutalized Jesus asked God to forgive those who were a part of it, explaining that they did not understand what they were doing.

Application:

He can forgive us for our sins even when we don’t realize what we are doing.

That doesn’t mean I should run around and sin without thought or remorse, though.

I need to thank Him for His forgiveness– of the sins I knowingly commit and the sins I unknowingly commit.

There may be things I am doing which seem right to me, but since I don’t know the big picture, could be wrong in God’s eyes.

I can only pray and ask for His guidance and also ask for His forgiveness.

***I journaled this a few days before entering it into the computer. Interestingly, as I sat down to type, the verse spoke to me in yet another way tonight. Here is how it hits me tonight:

My son and I have had an emotionally charged day. He has lost his temper more than a few times and has yelled at me and said some hurtful things.

Reading this verse reminded me of how Jesus forgives us and loves us, even as we are hateful to Him by sinning.

My son needs love, compassion and forgiveness to grow. When he is wound up, he doesn’t really know what He is doing. His comments are not from his heart, they are born in rage and frustration.

I need to stay calm, stay cool and love.

Sometimes that is so very difficult. But that is what Jesus modeled for us.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for forgiving me of my sins and for loving me always.

Thank you for giving me the strength I need in staying calm and responding with love, when I just want to yell back. And thank you for your forgiveness what that is not what happens and I do yell back.

Please guide me in living a life that honors you. Help me to see my mistakes, learn from them and also extend your grace to others as needed.

I need you, Lord. Thank you for loving me.

Be sure to record your own SOAP observations and feel free share your own thoughts or a link to your thoughts, here, too.

Didn’t start reading or Blogging Through  the Gospels with us? That’s okay, join in anytime. Each Sunday evening I post the reading schedule for the week ahead and each evening I post the next day’s reading assignment and devotional. Feel free to jump in where we are anytime and blog or journal along using the SOAP format. Feel free to share your thoughts on Twitter using the #Gospels hashtag, too.

If you would be interested in sharing your own SOAP observations on MomsToolbox as a guest SOAP’er, please send me an email using the contact button on the top right. I’ll be in touch soon to discuss the details.