But – it’s what Jesus wants. Jesus was a world-class “forgiver.” He forgave people for laughing at Him, sneering at Him, ignoring Him, abandoning Him, plotting to kill Him, falsely accusing Him, torturing Him – even executing Him.

What makes this scenario even more abhorrent is that all of these actions were perpetrated by people who should have loved Him – but were too afraid or too insensitive. We all have ignored Him at one time or another. All of us have sneered at something Jesus wants for us or wants from us, but we’re either too proud or too insecure to follow through. Each of us had a hand – as a member of the human race – in driving the nails into His hands and feet because we had sinned so pitifully that only an act of absolute pity and mercy could fully erase our hateful sin.

Why then, is it so hard for us to forgive those who sin against us?

Pride. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. Arrogance. Willfulness. There are too many reasons to list here. But just because there are reasons doesn’t give us the right to refuse to forgive, nor does it excuse our lack of generous grace towards those who have caused us pain or hardship. No matter what happened, we’re to follow Jesus’ lead and forgive.

Jesus didn’t wait until we were apologetic and remorseful and contrite to then bestow His love and mercy and forgiveness on us. He forgave us by giving His life as a sacrifice to atone for our sinfulness even while we were still sinning away like crazy. He died to pay for what we were still doing willfully. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

Jesus sets the tone: Forgive before the offender even asks. Forgive before the offender knows the offense. Forgive completely – erase the offense – so there no longer remains a need to forgive.

“How can I do that” you ask? It’s not easy. It’s extremely difficult. It’s not in your nature. But it’s in God’s nature!

The Holy Spirit – alive and living and working in you – makes it possible for you to have God’s nature. Forgiveness is something He wants to teach you; and forgiveness is something you can work on – actively – every day. You can apply it in small doses at first until you understand how it feels and looks and tastes. Then, as you get used to forgiving, you can begin to apply this Jesus-trait to the larger, looming, painful situations in your life. Practice makes perfect. Forgiveness in small doses works to make forgiveness in the large things more palatable, affirming, and fulfilling.

Who do you need to forgive? Where do you need to apply some forgiveness in your life? What situations need bathing in Jesus-like forgiveness?

Forgiveness the way Jesus did it was loving; it was never haughty or condescending or prideful. He forgave even when they didn’t ask. He forgave without holding a grudge. He forgave without keeping score. He forgave without demanding repayment. He forgave without a smirk on His face or a tongue in His cheek or a squint in His eye.

Let’s learn to forgive the way Jesus forgave. The one worthy of being served, served others. The one who was the most innocent, forgave those of us who were the most guilty. Can you agree to try this? Will you practice it until it is made perfect in your life by the indwelling Holy Spirit? Will you allow Him to show you how it’s done?