Power to Forgive

“Who would steal dominoes?” the director asked as she helped me look. The answer remains a mystery, and I resign myself to the reality of never enjoying this game with my new friend.

I hadn’t played dominoes in ages, but when I started attending this program and made a new friend who loves to play them, I acquired some brand new ones and donated them to the program. Now they’re gone.

I’ve always wondered at Jesus’ words that we should not ask people to give back what they’ve taken (Matthew 5:40). That is a really hard message to swallow, but I understand that he wants us to embrace a new way of life in him, one that trusts him and not on our own definition of fairness. He wants us to love others and let him do the judging when they take something from us.

I think of another area of life, of the shame and the pain that happens when a child’s innocence is stolen far too soon. That’s an exception when I am convinced Jesus doesn’t mean for us to just let it be. In the end, though, it is God who enacts true justice and gives us the power to heal and to forgive.

Jesus is the ultimate example of an unfair loss: his very life was taken from him. At the same time, he willingly gave, trading his innocence for our sin, so that we could become new like him. When he took on our sin and wrath of God, it was the only just way for us to have eternal life.

What was the purpose of the dominoes? To bring people together and spark new friendships. Now that they’re gone though, I still have that chance. That has not been stolen from me. And as Jesus gave his life, I give forgiveness and grace.

Dear Jesus, thank you that you are ever present when people wrong us. Thank you for your grace and your love as we navigate these tough relational issues. Help us trust you and praise you for your sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Consider This: how can you show grace and forgiveness to someone who has stolen from you?

Song of Encouragement: "Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin