Jesus preached forgiveness from the cross. Those closest to him had betrayed him, denied him or run. Some who he had healed, help put him there. This last prayer was a selfless act. To reach this place cost him everything. Not everyone agreed with him then, and many today find this a difficult message. [...]
One of the big stumbling blocks on the road to recovery is being able to forgive. Yet unforgiveness creates the rubble that blocks our road and prevents us moving forward. We seem to cherish holding onto the pain and the hurt and the rubble piles higher. Why would we rather try and bury the offending pile than face the emotional pain of clearing it? It is well said, that holding onto unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other man to die. When the Old Testament leader, Nehemiah, was confronted with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he first had to weep over the ruins. [...]