The Impossible Ask: I Don’t Want to Forgive My Enemies

February 23, 2025

Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

Luke 6:27-38

Rev. Teer Hardy

The truth in God reconciling all things, in making all of creation new through the mercy of God’s grace, is that when our sin could have made us an enemy of God and God could have cast vengeance upon humanity – upon you and me – God instead extended, God is extending mercy.

It is downright offensive to think of God extending mercy to the person we despise the most until we realize that is how Jesus loves us, not because we deserve it or have earned it but because God does not know any other way. The merciful love of God is what enabled Joseph to forgive his brothers after they sold him into slavery. The same merciful love softened Pharoah’s heart and later inspired Hannah to pray, “God raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.”

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