THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS (GOOD FRIDAY)
THE SEED
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”” Luke 23:34 NKJV
Jesus uttered these powerful words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Interestingly this emotional plea to God did not stop the evil perpetrators, instead they went ahead to divide Jesus’ garment. This plea for forgiveness was not for Himself, but for those who persecuted Him, mocked Him, rejected Him, and nailed Him to the cross. It is a total demonstration of His love, mercy, and grace, revealing the heart of God towards humanity. As followers of Christ, we are called to put on this same spirit of forgiveness, extending grace even to those who wrong us. Jesus’ example on the cross shows that forgiveness is not based on the worthiness of the offender, but on the boundless love of God. Just as Christ forgave His persecutors, we too must learn to forgive others, even when it seems undeserved or unjustified. The forgiveness we are called to is an extension of the forgiveness we have received from God. We were once enemies of God, alienated from Him by our sin, yet through the sacrifice of Christ, we were reconciled and forgiven. If we are to be imitators of Christ, we must reflect that same grace in our relationships with others. Jesus Himself taught us in Matthew 6:14-15 the inseparable link between our willingness to forgive others and our relationship with God. For if you forgive others you will also receive forgiveness and to hold onto unforgiveness is to block the flow of God’s grace in our own lives. Therefore, on a day like, let us take up the mantle of forgiveness; it is not a sign of weakness, but of divine strength. Let us live out the transformative love of Christ, trusting in the power of forgiveness to bring healing, freedom, and reconciliation.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 6:9-15
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to forgive others even when it is difficult and seems they do not deserve it, in Jesus name, Amen
EBUN IDARIJI (FRIDAY RERE)
IRUGBIN NAA
Jesu si wipe, Baba, dariji wọn, nitoriti nwọn kò mọ̀ ohun ti nwọn nṣe. Wọ́n sì pín aṣọ rẹ̀, wọ́n sì ṣẹ́ kèké.” Lúùkù 23:34
Ni akoko ti ijiya ti o ga julọ lori agbelebu, Jesu sọ awọn ọrọ ti o lagbara wọnyi: “Baba, dariji wọn, nitori wọn ko mọ ohun ti wọn nṣe.” niwaju lati pin aṣọ Jesu. Àbẹ̀bẹ̀ fún ìdáríjì yìí kì í ṣe ti ara Rẹ̀, bí kò ṣe fún àwọn tí wọ́n ṣe inúnibíni sí i, tí wọ́n fi í ṣe ẹlẹ́yà, tí wọ́n kọ̀ ọ́, tí wọ́n sì kàn án mọ́ agbelebu. Ó jẹ́ àfihàn ìfẹ́, àánú, àti oore-ọ̀fẹ́ Rẹ̀ lápapọ̀, tí ń fi ọkàn Ọlọ́run hàn sí ìran ènìyàn. Gẹ́gẹ́ bí ọmọlẹ́yìn Kristi, a pè wá láti gbé ẹ̀mí ìdáríjì kan náà wọ̀, kí a máa nawọ́ oore-ọ̀fẹ́ pàápàá sí àwọn tí ń ṣe wá. Àpẹẹrẹ Jésù lórí àgbélébùú fihàn pé ìdáríjì kò sinmi lórí yíyẹ ẹni tó ṣẹ̀ bí kò ṣe ìfẹ́ Ọlọ́run tí kò láàlà. Gẹ́gẹ́ bí Kristi ṣe dárí ji àwọn tó ń ṣe inúnibíni rẹ̀, àwa náà gbọ́dọ̀ kọ́ bí a ṣe ń dárí ji àwọn ẹlòmíràn, kódà nígbà tó dà bíi pé a kò lẹ́tọ̀ọ́ sí tàbí tí kò lẹ́tọ̀ọ́ sí i. Idariji ti a pe si jẹ itẹsiwaju idariji ti a ti gba lati ọdọ Ọlọrun. Ní rírántí pé a ti jẹ́ ọ̀tá Ọlọ́run nígbà kan rí, tí a sọ di àjèjì sí Rẹ̀ nípasẹ̀ ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wa, síbẹ̀ nípasẹ̀ ẹbọ Kristi, a ṣe ìlàjà àti ìdáríjì. Tá a bá fẹ́ jẹ́ aláfarawé Kristi, a gbọ́dọ̀ fi oore ọ̀fẹ́ kan náà hàn nínú àjọṣe wa pẹ̀lú àwọn ẹlòmíràn. Nínú ẹ̀kọ́ Rẹ̀ lórí ìdáríjì, Jésù fúnra rẹ̀ kọ́ wa nínú Matteu 6:14-15 ìsopọ̀ aláìláfiwé láàárín ìmúratán wa láti dáríjì àwọn ẹlòmíràn àti àjọṣe wa pẹ̀lú Ọlọ́run. Nitori ti o ba dariji awọn elomiran iwọ yoo tun gba idariji ati lati di idariji mu ni lati dina sisan oore-ọfẹ Ọlọrun ninu igbesi aye tiwa. Nítorí náà, ní ọjọ́ bí èyí tí a bá ń rántí ikú Jésù Olúwa wa, ẹ jẹ́ kí a mú ẹ̀wù ìdáríjì, kí a rántí pé kì í ṣe àmì àìlera, bí kò ṣe ti agbára Ọlọ́run. Jẹ ki a gbe ifẹ ti o ni iyipada ti Kristi jade, ni igbẹkẹle ninu agbara idariji lati mu iwosan, ominira, ati ilaja wa si awọn ibatan wa.
BIBELI KIKA: Mátíù 6:9-15
ADURA: Bàbá Ọ̀run, gẹ́gẹ́ bí Kristi ti dárí ji àwọn tí wọ́n ṣe àìtọ́ sí i nígbà tí kò yẹ, àti èmi náà, a ti dárí jì mí ju ohun tí ó tọ́ sí mi lọ, ràn mí lọ́wọ́ láti dárí ji àwọn ẹlòmíràn àní nígbà tí ó ṣòro tí ó sì dàbí ẹni pé wọn kò tọ́ sí, nínú Jésù. oruko. Amin.