. . . Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:26b-27
From Paris comes a sad and sorrowful story.
A 42-year-old French woman was attending the funeral of her brother. She had invited her son to attend his uncle's last rites, but he didn't reply. She assumed he was still angry with her after a family spat.
That wasn't the situation -- not at all.
As they were leaving the cemetery, one of the family noticed a temporary wooden marker with the son's name and birthday. The woman's son had been buried in the pauper's part of the cemetery.
The mother collapsed.
The funeral parlor explained it was not unusual for families not to be informed if the deceased has no record of whom to contact.
Truly a poignant story, especially since the final chapter could have been rewritten had mother and son followed the passage which is the theme for today's devotion.
Every time we pray the Lord's Prayer we say, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12). But are those words something which people practice all the time -- with everybody -- even those special individuals who have done something very, very nasty to us?
There is no question that is what the Lord Jesus would have us do. After all, as He hung upon the cross, He didn't forgive everybody with the exception of one really, really bad sinner.
Jesus died to win the forgiveness of everyone and, in thanksgiving to Him, in devotion to Him, in obedience to Him, we need to forgive as well.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, it is not that I am amazed You forgive sins, I am overawed that You forgive me. How can I offer my thanks? Now, send Your Holy Spirit so He might soften my heart and help me forgive any and all who have sinned against me. In Your Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 19-20 2 Corinthians 7
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