Now here is where we see the true difference between Jesus and me. I have no business forgiving offenses made against other people. It’s up to them, not me. But in Jesus cases the offense – on the deepest level – is against Him. You and I – if we receive God’s forgiveness – can forgive people who offend us. Jesus, on the other hand, presents himself as someone who forgives offenses. Today Jesus speaks about the crucifixion. Then He states what we must do to follow Him. Take up the cross. The cross at its deepest level means forgiveness. To take up ones cross means to accept forgiveness and to ask help to forgive others. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. That is easier said than done, especially today. Someone has said that we live in a culture that tolerates everything and forgives nothing. Think about it. How often do we hear people say, “I am a very forgiving person, but what he/she did is unforgivableâ€?
Forgiveness means to lose ones life. I don’t want to lose my life. I want to save face, I want to show that other person I was in the right. I sometime have difficulty meditating on the Scriptures for 20 minutes, but I spend an hour meditating on that offense and imagining my moment of vindication. Today we see who Jesus is: the One pierced for our sins. He asks us to look on Him, His cross. Yes, people have also pierced us. The one who wishes to come after Jesus, He tells us, we must take up his own cross – daily – and follow Him.