Forgiveness when the people we love hurt us

Crucifixion as seen from the cross by James Tissot

"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23: 34)
How does it feel when the people that we loved and cared for persecute us?

How does it feel when we help people out of our good intentions turn things around and say bad things to us?

This is what Jesus felt after being nailed to the cross and slowly being lifted up. He sees the people from the crowd whom He has touched just staring at Him and doing nothing. He hears them shouting and mocking him for every good act that He has done. His heart is slowly being broken into two because all of the effort He did and all of the miracles He has done to reveal to Israel that He is the one sent by God meant nothing to them.

He has given His entire love to everyone and has been seeking the lost sheep from afar to bring them back and to reveal to everyone that He is the Son of God who has come to restore everything to Himself and to free them from sin. But in the end, they have crucified the one who has loved them first -- we have crucified the one who has loved us first.

But how does it take for someone to easily forgive those people, especially for those whom we have done good to?

We've encountered this in many situations. Sometimes at work, sometimes with our friends and sometimes with those who are very much close to us. And at times, we would love to give them a taste of hell by seeking revenge on them.

But what will it bring us? Will we be able to sleep soundly at night?

Probably. But how about our soul?

The Prophet Jeremiah has clearly showed how it should be done.

Yes, I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail, and take our revenge on him." 

But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. LORD of hosts, you test the just, you see mind and heart, Let me see the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause.

Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the evildoers! (Jer. 20: 10-13)

I remember one time when I was in the same situation. I was completely raging in anger that I've been thinking of what to do to him to make him pay. But the Lord came to me in my prayer and said these words:

Never lay your hand on him. Revenge and justice is mine. All you need to do is to pray for him.

This is what Jesus did when He hung on the cross. He could have when down and slapped everyone.

But no.

In His humility and love for entire mankind, He lifted all of the sins committed to Him to the Father and asking to forgive them for not recognizing Him as His Only Beloved Son.

Lift everything to the Lord and live with love, even if the people whom we love hurt us.