Forgiving

Luk 19:1-9  And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  (2)  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  (3)  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  (4)  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  (5)  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.  (6)  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  (7)  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  (8)  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  (9)  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Zacchaeus was a sinner.  All the people who were looking on and murmuring, “That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner” were also sinners, but were separating themselves from him, as though they were not sinners, and then judging him.  Stupid. 

I do the same thing.

But, the Lord came to save sinners…and somehow, in particular, people who recognize themselves to be sinners. 

He came to live, die and be resurrected for sinners!

He loves us, the Church, in spite of our sin, and gave Himself completely for us, though He had no sin.

We, as sinful men, are called to love our wives as Christ, who knew no sin loves His church.  This realization calls us to generosity.  We should not stand in condemnation of our wives at any time.  We should instead, recognizing ourselves for what we are, be quite generous and forgiving.

Give it all up

Luk 18:18-27  And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (19)  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.  (20)  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.  (21)  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.  (22)  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  (23)  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.  (24)  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  (25)  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  (26)  And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?  (27)  And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

I really don't know how to apply this in marriage and family, but I noticed that Christ love did not keep him from making amazing demands on those that want to be His disciples.

Interestingly, this is actually a picture of Christ himself...he not only knew no sin (did not commit adultery, did not kill, did not steal, did not bear false witness, honors his Father) but He also gave up all that He had (heaven's glory) and came to give His life for the poor.

Forgive

Luk 17:1-4  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!  (2)  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  (3)  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  (4)  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

This one is pretty self-explanatory...Christ forgives...we forgive our wives.

Truth-telling

Luk 14:1-6  And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.  (2)  And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.  (3)  And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?  (4)  And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;  (5)  And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?  (6)  And they could not answer him again to these things.

Jesus was always willing to tell the truths that needed to be told in the face of lies, even when those who were telling or believing the lies were violently opposed to the truth.  Whether it is the Pharisees conspiring to kill Him, or Peter trying to convince Him to play it safe and stay away from Jerusalem (“Get behind me Satan”).  When facing Pilate, Jesus said that “for this cause came I into the world: to testify to the truth.”

In fact, He IS the truth.

Do I know “the truth”.  Hmmm…well, not really, but in an attempt to love my wife and family, I am seeking the truth, and asking for wisdom, and looking for it as for hid treasure.