Rushing Back

It just creeps in and it doesn’t really bother you until that name is mentioned or that place; it is then that all that bitterness and unforgiveness comes rushing back. He was angry!  In fact, the Bible indicates that he was beyond angry, he was fuming!  He had served his father faithfully his entire life and now his younger, rebellious brother was back.  They were throwing that brother a party.  When had they ever thrown him, the faithful son, a party?  When had they ever even acknowledged his dedication to the family? NEVER!  While his younger brother traveled the world, spending money and living without a care, he had stayed and done as he should.  Now that the money had run out for his brother, he had returned home.  What the older brother wasn’t expecting was to see this irresponsible sibling welcomed upon his return.  He had expected his father to turn him away; or at best, let him work as a servant in the fields.  It was he, the older brother, whom this party should be for and there was no way he was going in to celebrate his baby brother’s return. While his father forgave, the older brother held onto his bitterness and resentment.  He resented his younger brother for leaving.  He resented his younger brother for returning.  He also resented his father for his willingness to forgive, so much so that he could not experience the joy that comes when we are willing to show mercy on others. Mark Twain said it best when he said; “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” Now think for a moment what if God had treated us the way we sometimes treat others. Many years have gone by and you think you have forgiven and all that bitterness is all gone. Then you come face to face with that person and the expression on your face tells a different story. The question was asked Jesus;

Matthew 18:21  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Matthew 18:22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Is Jesus teaching that we are to forgive our neighbor? I think so and in Chapter 22 He reinforced what He has taught.

Matthew 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Matthew 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

It’s hard to love someone and have an unforgiving spirit or bitterness in the heart; love and bitterness just don’t go together. Is there someone out there whom you have trouble forgiving? If so, you are missing out on the celebration and joy you could be sharing.  You have become the older brother and you will not go to the party but have become selfish and thinking of yourself more highly than you should.

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; …… Have a blessed weekend, pray for your Pastor starting now for Sunday Morning.  Someone close to you needs for God to speak to them and so do each of us.