Don’t you even know me?

Don’t you even know me?


I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 13:15 NIV

I was watching a movie where a grandfather asked his grandson about the fight he was in. He asked his grandson, “Can you forgive the person that gave you that shiner?” “No.” said the young boy. “He doesn’t deserve forgiveness.” Grandpa said, “No, I didn’t ask if he deserved forgiveness. I asked if you can you forgive him?”

It seems to me that forgiveness is not fair. People deserve payback for the evil they commit. They deserve to be held accountable. But the type of forgiveness Jesus calls us to moves beyond accountability. I think that Jesus is more so speaking to the inner workings of a person’s heart. I think that Jesus is asking us if we can turn the other cheek or walk the extra mile for the sake of the offender’s own salvation.

It seems to me that there are a lot of folks that call Jesus Lord, but they have no idea who the guy is. Jesus laid out an example for us to follow. He expects those that call him Lord, Savior and Friend to obey him. He expects us believers to “look” like him, to remind people of him by the way we live. And yet there are so many that won’t forgive an insult or a slap on the face. Christ’s example was that he forgave the guy that drove a couple spikes into his flesh. He forgave the guys who spit on him and pulled the hairs from his beard. He forgave the men that beat him into a bloody pulp. And we, the followers of Christ can’t forgive a bad word or a cross look. Jesus has to be wondering, “Don’t you even know me?”