John 20
What kind of pain is the most painful for you? Some might say toothache. Some would say migraine headaches. But some will say public disgrace. Or some may think poverty is the most painful. What about you?
Although everyone may feel pains differently, one thing I am sure everyone will agree with on the most painful things. It is the pain to forgive first and receive someone who is not sorry about what he has done to us. Some will say it is simply not possible and not permissible to forgive and receive someone who is not repentant of his sin and injustice. Until he says sorry, we should wait.
But apparently, Jesus did that which seems the most painful and incomprehensible: to forgive sinners and die for them. We remember he said he came down to earth for sinners. But he did not wait for them to repent. He first forgave them by his death. That forgiveness demanded not just pain but even death!
As we see in the gospel today, the Son of God almost desperately prays that everyone who believes in him may become one in God and him. This unity and union are the ultimate goals of the sacrifice of the Son of God. In the new heaven and earth, there is no division any longer. All are united in faith in the Son of God. And this will not happen unless we forgive each other. This is why Christ chose to die for sinners. His death was the ultimate offer of forgiveness for sinners.
While we hear the gospel today on unity, we are reminded of those who are waiting for our forgiveness. Yes, it is indeed painful to forgive first. Some of us might have to feel virtual death to do it. Our Lord forgave us by his death, much more than a pain.
