Forgive Us

A Reflection on the Gospel for November 25th, 2018:
​The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

John 18.33-37 

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

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​Jesus truly shows His selfless, amazing love for us in this Gospel. When Pilate asks Jesus about His claim to be a King, He responds by telling Pilate about His kingdom and how it is not of this world. Rather, His perfect kingdom is in heaven with the Father. Despite the fact that His earthly home was not His kingdom, Pilate handed Him over to the authorities, persecuted Him for speaking the truth, and He still died for us. He died for those who accused Him of sedition. He died for those who beat Him and joyfully watched Him suffer. He died for everyone, despite our faults and brokenness. This is the ultimate act of love: to die for the sins of those who have hurt you.

"This is the ultimate act of love: to die for the sins of those who have hurt you."

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Sometimes I forget to turn to Jesus in those times when I need to offer forgiveness. But there is no one better to turn to when you need to forgive. Jesus showed the greatest form of forgiveness by dying for all those who had turned Him in to the authorities, and for those who tortured Him. Some of His last words on the cross are pivotal to helping us grasp the idea of forgiveness. He calls out to God saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Forgiveness is showing love even when people have hurt us. If Jesus immediately forgave those who condemned Him, I feel as though I need to strive to be more open to forgive.

Often times I pray for the strength to love as God loves in my day to day life. This means showing love to everyone I encounter, no matter the circumstance. Forgiving someone is loving them even though they hurt you or someone you care for. This is way easier said than done when the offence is something that we deem to be serious or very wrong. In those times when we don’t feel like we have the strength in us to forgive and to love the one who hurt us, Jesus wants us to turn to Him. Colossians 3:12-13 explains: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.”

"In those times when we don’t feel like we have the strength in us to forgive and to love the one who hurt us, Jesus wants us to turn to Him."

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Turn to the Lord when you face trials to forgive. God grieves for the hurt that was caused to you, but also forgives the one who hurt you when they repent. He can help you to forgive and love, as He does.

​Megan Noye

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