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“Judas ate too”.
We’ve seen all the memes floating around Facebook, but it’s not just some cute cliché. It’s the true depiction of Christ’s character. Jesus was extending grace to Judas knowing he would betray Him. He didn’t approach Judas with contempt in His heart, He let him have a seat at His table.
If Jesus can sit with Judas, as He’s on His way to die a gruesome sinner’s death, all while Himself being blameless and perfect, who do I think I am to regard myself as above doing the same (sitting with my “Judas”), when I have wronged others and fallen short myself?
Jesus already had forgiveness in His heart. He didn’t hang on the cross recounting all the wrongdoings, betrayal, mockery and unbelief. No. He simply said “forgive them Father” as He took His dying breath. The savior of the world, blameless, shedding His blood for my sins.
So, who do I think I am?
The scripture teaches us to be Christlike: this forgiveness, this grace, this kind of love- that’s what striving to be Christlike looks like. When Jesus says we’re forgiven, He says it’s over, it’s done, it’s washed under the blood. It teaches us we’re to forgive just as we have been forgiven.
So, who do I think I am to recount all of the wrong done towards me?
The scripture teaches us we must forgive in order to be forgiven. That’s what grace and forgiveness looks like. Letting it be washed under the blood- His blood!
The scripture says “oh death where is your sting” ( 1 Cor. 15:55) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Having un-forgiveness in my heart is sinful and wages death against my soul, but Jesus came to conquer that! The sins of this world leaves no sting when I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind and heart and truly release all the hurt and pain to Him.
That’s the love of Jesus.
So, who do I think I am?
I’m a child of the King. I’m redeemed. I’m forgiven. I’m called. I’m blessed. I am loved.
So are they. They that have wronged me, hurt me and betrayed me. He sees them through His fatherly eyes, too.