“Not Guilty”
I have never sat in a courtroom waiting for a verdict from a jury. But I can imagine it is quite stressful especially if you know you are guilty. The consequences of your actions could have the potential to place you in jail for many years away from family and friends. This one verdict can change your life forever. As the court reconvenes and the judge asks, “have you reached a verdict?” The presiding juror stands and announces “not guilty.” You are rejoicing but in your heart you are asking, how can this be?
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
The verse you just read is so powerful. It is packed full of life transforming truth. I know most of you reading this believe Jesus lived, died and was resurrected. But for anyone who doubts or to help others understand how this can be true. We can look at the second part of this verse. The soldiers are gambling for the clothes of Jesus. At first glance this may seem insignificant but this one act was part of Jesus fulfilling approximately 30 specific prophecies during His death on the cross. The probabilities of this happening are impossible!
When we read the words Jesus spoke on the cross we should learn two extremely important lessons. Jesus cries out to His Father, “forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus is on the cross, He has been accused, pronounced guilty, ridiculed, beaten, rejected and nailed to a cross and NEVER forget, Jesus was innocent! How could He in this moment intercede and pray for those who crucified Him? He did it through the everlasting love, amazing grace and mercy of His Father. He looked at all the people at the cross, He looked at you and me and declared us “NOT GUILTY!” What a Savior, His perfect love set us free!
The scriptures instruct us to have the same mind in us that Christ Jesus has. We did not deserve to be forgiven, it is a gift from God. Therefore just as we have freely received we must freely give. People will hurt, disappoint and reject you. You have a choice to make! You can respond and forgive the offense like Jesus or you can hold on to it. If you choose to hold on to it, I promise you it will not benefit you. I know if we rely on our feelings and walk in our flesh forgiveness is next to impossible. But if we trust in God’s promises and walk in His power forgiveness becomes natural. We become like our Father in heaven full of unending love and mercy! We will live in the joy and peace of our salvation! My friends if Almighty God can declare us not guilty after all we have done. We should be ready and willing to declare others not guilty! Blessings!!
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