It's been a while since I've done one of these 'very early Saturday morning' Sunday messages, but once again I was hit by something I should have connected a long time ago. A preacher I woke up to said, "Stephan prayed, "Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do", and one man there- Saul of Tarsus- was forgiven and went on the become Paul the Apostle."
And that made me connect it to the other time you hear this prayer- in Luke's gospel, as Jesus is insulted as He's hung upon the cross. And there, out of those insulting Him, one man- who was hanging beside Him- was forgiven. And this brought to mind many lessons.
First, this part about 'not knowing what they're doing'. Jesus had preached throughout the area for 3 years- the chances that anyone there hadn't been exposed to His teaching at some level were minimal- more so for those who demanded His execution. Stephen had just given an hours-long sermon to those who stoned him. It wasn't so much they 'didn't know', but they didn't GET IT. When we pray for all men, phrases like, "they do too know, they just don't care", and "They hate us too much to hear" should never enter into it. There is a difference between knowing and KNOWING.
Second, it took that forgiveness FIRST before any of them changed their ways. Like Jesus said in Matthew 5:
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
And perfect means you forgive FIRST. Anyone can accept an apology.
Third, how staggering the lessons from those who are forgiven! The thief on the Cross teaches us it is NEVER too late to come for forgiveness, and that the 'payoff' is not this life. Paul teaches us no cause is too lost, no sin too heinous to be forgiven- no life so failed that it can't be used.
Wisdom isn't something that you get from reading and memorizing the Bible. It comes when you let God start making the connections. And thanking Him, as I do, for not only making the connections, but allowing me to share them.
Thank you for this
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