Balm of Forgiveness

When I was a kid, my family used to “rough it.” This meant sleeping in a camper (one that sits in the bed of a pickup truck). Tents were involved sometimes, but we were always in the deep, unspoiled forest of Northern Michigan. The door to the camper had swinging metal spikes that were supposed to be for hanging towels or other laundry on to dry. To this day, I wonder if they doubled as an active security device. Yet, back then, I found they were there for a more sinister purpose.

I was a very active child, excitable and relentlessly on the move. One morning after breakfast (wild blueberry pancakes and bacon cooked in a well-oiled, cast-iron skillet!) I went to impulsively run out the camper door and explore the wild woods to see what kind of trouble I could find in the great outdoors. Mission accomplished. Instantly. Being the observant child that I was, I noticed the wicked drying device extended from the door and not neatly folded in. Unfortunately, the astute observation only came when the metal was stuck in my top right eyelid.

Since that day, nothing as severe has ever threatened my optic organs as much, but there have been the normal sawdust incidents, slivers, bugs and other miscellaneous foreign objects. They get washed out or work themselves out gracefully. Good thing. Sometimes, though, it’s helpful to have someone lend a pair of eyes and hands to see what could be there. Are you that person? Am I?

When I was a teenager and first discovered the Gospel’s meaning, the Bible seemed to suddenly become accessible. One of the first things that I grasped was the principle of Matthew 7:3-5. How can I worry about the “speck” in my brother’s eye when I’ve got the log or plank in my own? This lesson stuck with me all these years, and I have put it into practice perfectly ever since. End of blog.

Wouldn’t that be nice? Not long ago, these words were married up to the words of Jesus in the same sermon (the one on the Mount): “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). It was in the court room as I watched the gentleman who knocked me off my motorcycle receive his sentence. I couldn’t get the verse out of my head. When a perfectly normal reaction in the situation would be “I hope he gets stuck with some jail time,” this is what I came up with? I must claim divine assistance here.

 “Have you never made a bad decision on the road that almost caused an accident?” echoed in my head. And, “there but by the grace of God go I.” I could not wish ill upon the man who I’d clashed with on the road, despite the clear evidence that he was responsible. Why not?

Because to not forgive this man, which is what we’re talking about here, really is to say that I have never done anything wrong. I cannot point fingers (or cast stones) until I can say, “I have no sin.”

Then we come to the age-old defence, “well, I haven’t done as much terrible damage as that person has.” Or, “I’m not as evil as he or she is.” But in real terms, and applicable to everyone, is the truth that no one has ever done as wrongly against us as we have God. Some may disagree with that assessment, but my response in evidence is the Cross of Christ. Why would God go through the heart-wrenching agony of sending his Son to die on the cross, and why would Jesus obey the father to the utmost – even death on the cross? (Philippians 2:8). It was the price in proportion to the offense. For each of us.

In short, as I write this reminder to myself today, we must forgive. If someone injures us or makes bad judgement calls to the detriment of others, betrays us, or whatever the case, we must forgive. If possible, this includes talking to the person about it (Matthew 18:15). But here is when we have to remember the big piece of lumber in the eye. This sure makes it easier to approach that person. If we’re able to remove that speck, don’t forget to put that balm on there. And then remember to have mercy for that person, just as Christ has brought mercy to us.