"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

This prayer uttered to God the Father by His Son, Jesus, two thousand years ago was born out of a supernatural love that no man since has ever witnessed. Jesus was falsely accused, mocked, scorned, ridiculed, denied and abandoned by His very own. He was spit upon, a crown of ugly, piercing thorns was crushed upon His head, His clothes were torn off, and a piece of purple cloth was thrown around Him as people mocked, "Hail, King of the Jews!" He was dragged to a place called Golgotha and finally was nailed to a crude cross suspended between heaven and earth. This all took place to the very King of Kings.

Yet, He was a man with human feelings and emotions just like you and I. As He prayed to His Father in Luke 22:42, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." He could have called ten thousand angels to deliver Him; but all along, He knew He was born to die. With that realization, He looked beyond His pain to the future, knowing that only through His death could eternal life be an alternative for you and me. From the cross He looked down, overwhelmed by love and compassion, at the very ones responsible for His crucifixion, and whispered, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Then He cried in a loud voice, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46), and died. But the grave was not the end, it was just the beginning! In three days He rose triumphantly from death and the grave, never to die again. He lives!

Christ wants you and me to live also, but the chains of unforgiveness are keeping many in the grave. Jesus forgave. Then he gave His life in order to save us from our sins and set us free to live abundant lives.

Marriages, families, homes and relationships are being destroyed because people refuse to forgive giving Satan a hold on their lives. Maybe you have been hurt, misunderstood, used, abused or accused, and you feel that you have the right to be unforgiving. But please let me remind you that Jesus said:

"When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11:25,26).

You may not feel like forgiving, but you must choose to forgive. I challenge you to choose life by forgiving. You will then discover what real life is and start living once again. God's joy, love and blessing will overtake you as you allow Him to work in your marriage, family relationships and in your personal life. You will see restoration, reconciliation and rejuvenation. It will be only the beginning of what God has for you.

- Gloria