This word strikes me hard. I used it a few weeks ago to begin our ascent to Easter.
Jesus hanging on the cross says, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23.34 And I suggested that Jesus words of forgiveness was an extension to the following. Father, forgive Judas [his betrayal] for he really didn’t know the extent of what he was doing. Father, forgive Peter for his denial. Father, forgive Pilate for his part in the trial and even after his wife’s warning, washed his hands of the whole deal. He didn’t know what he was doing. And I include Jesus forgiveness of the religious leaders who brought him to trial. The crowd who cried, “Crucify”. The Roman soldiers who persecuted him and finally nailed him to the cross.
Here’s where the word extension really matters. If Jesus is forgiving these, then why not include King Herod. Who in Matthew’s [Christmas] birth account sought to have all boys age two and under murdered because Jesus was a threat to his kingship. Father, forgive Herod, for he knew not the extent of his actions. And we could go back in extension to Adam and Eve. Father, forgive Adam and Eve for they didn’t know what they were doing eating from the forbidden tree.
And if the extension goes back in time. Why not forward? Does his extension of forgiveness also include you and I? For our sins. Are we not just as guilty of nailing him to the cross or crying out, “Crucify”?
And that is exactly what the savior does. Extend his forgiveness to us. To all of the world, from beginning to end of time. And he extends his love. Extends his grace and mercy.
This is my new favorite word, “extension”!
Salvation [God's plan to restore our broken relationship to Him] is extended through the extended [and nailed] arms and hands of Jesus dying on the cross for you and me. Some say it’s a stretch, but I say it’s a reach. What a glorious God we have to extend Himself to us.
Join us at Crossroads Celebration Church in Ankeny, Iowa as we celebrate the extension of God’s love for us through Jesus Christ this Easter! Pray for those who have not felt the extension of that great love!
