This week I drove by a sign in front of someone’s office. It caused me to stop and think.
Are people often unreasonable irrational and self-centered? Perhaps so.
So that brings up another question:
Should we really forgive unreasonable irrational people?
The world in which we live is very different than the world in which Jesus lived. However human tendencies were not so different. People tend to default to being self-centered.
What did Jesus have to say about this?
If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. (Luke 6:29)
Matthew Henry’s commentary describes this passage as being merciful, as the Father has shown us mercy.
In the context of showing mercy, forgiveness is key. Daily we encounter people who are unreasonable and self-centered but Jesus makes it clear that they are not the only ones. We are often the same way.
Jesus taught his disciples a better way; the way of serving others:
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. (John 13)
Friends, Jesus knew that we would not naturally be others-centered. But He reminds us to give all we can to serve others.
I wonder if we were to all practice forgiving and serving…
I just wonder if there would be less irritable people in the world?
Less self-centered people; or unreasonable people?
Just saying… gives us all something to strive for. Why not forgive anyway?
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