The World of Forgiveness VS. A World of Hurt

He healeth the broken in heart

The one and ONLY time we see the word Calvary in the scriptures is in Luke 23:

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33

I was captured by the word “Calvary” in my Bible reading recently. I have heard many sermons on Calvary. We have numerous songs on Calvary in our playlist on Faith Music Radio. To be honest, I am sure I knew what the word meant. But today I looked it up and my mind was flooded with memories of hearing of “the place of a skull.” In Matthew, Mark and John this hill is referred to as “the place of a skull.” But in Luke and only this once it is called Calvary. Like we remember today the place of the Alamo because of the one catastrophic event that took place there, we remember this place, the place of a skull that is called Calvary because of the greatest event to ever take place in all of human history. 

It was in this place, Calvary, Jesus died between two sinners for all sinners. It is in this place our Savior took upon Himself the sins of the entire world. It is here He declares forgiveness for those who arrested Him, accused Him, tortured Him, beat Him, mocked Him, condemned Him and more. It is here He declares forgiveness for us all!

And yet today I had spent time in a world of hurt. And for no other reason than some other human had disappointed me and I was hurt. In this world of hurt I said to myself (and even to God if I am being honest) that I needed more time, maybe a few days to get over the disappointment and hurt I felt. Maybe I just need some time to process it all. 

As I sat and read the declaration in Luke 23:34,

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

I was smitten by my own disobedience. I had chosen to put off forgiveness and to delay my obedience to forgive another all the while my Savior declared forgiveness in the midst of suffering like no other has suffered. 

I felt a little like Pharaoh in Exodus. Pharaoh?? Yes. When Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted God to remove the frogs out of the land of Egypt Pharaoh told Moses, “To morrow.” Yes, my friend Pharaoh wanted one more night with the frogs! “One more night in sin. One more night with the frogs,” are the lyrics to a song I remember from years ago. It is hard to believe that he did not say “Right NOW!” But he did not. Exodus 8:10 plainly records Pharaoh's answer for us. 

Here is what I learned from this lesson in my Bible reading:

1. My disappointments are not greater than my need to forgive. 

2. When I make my disappointments greater than forgiveness I am choosing to live in a world of hurt.

3. The world of forgiveness is better than a world of hurt. A world of hurt is volatile. It continually changes and usually for the worse. 

4. The world of forgiveness includes being forgiven by the One Who died to pay for my sin AND being forgiving to those who disappoint and hurt us. The blessings of forgiveness are constant and unchanging.

5. Delayed obedience is disobedience. This important truth we teach our children is just as important for adults.

6. Wallowing in a world of hurt is nothing more than self pity. Self pity disguises itself as comfort but it brings no consolation and only prolongs the hurt. 

7. Forgiving others is an act of obedience to God. Therefore, waiting to forgive is disobedience. 

8. It is God’s will to bring healing to your broken heart. 

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32)

“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” Psalm 103:3

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3