Today’s Scripture Reading (November
18, 2016): Joel 3
Mahatma Gandhi taught that “the weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the
attribute of the strong.” Forgiveness is never something that is easy to do. It
takes real strength and character. To hold a grudge is natural, to fight that
natural tendency and be willing to forgive is hard – and, therefore,
forgiveness is a character trait that only the strong
possess.
We serve a God who has promised to forgive us for our shortcomings. To say that God is all-powerful
means that he can offer true forgiveness
in all circumstances. In fact, it is not God’s ability to forgive that is ever
in question. The limitation on God’s forgiveness is our ability to forgive and in our ability to accept
forgiveness. The harsh words of Jesus after his resurrection point to the fact
that we are the limiting factor of God’s forgiveness in the world, and that the
strength to forgive can only come from God. Jesus told his disciples to “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins,
their sins are forgiven; if you do not
forgive them, they are not forgiven” (John 20:22b-23).
Joel starts his prophecy by talking about the locusts that are invading the
nation. The locusts were a destructive
force that had been sent by God because of the sin of the people of God. The
locusts of Joel represent the all too real human forces of the enemy. The ones
that have come to take and maim and destroy. These are the forces that are
aligned against the forces of God – and against the people of God.
But the closing verses remind us that we serve an all-powerful God – a God
who is infinitely capable of forgiveness. And even though the locusts come, God
still stands with his people, forgiving them for their sin. Commentators remind
us that this forgiveness of Joel, initially
directed at Judah, is available to both the Hebrew Bible people of God, the
Jews, and to the New Testament people of God, the Christian Church.
And Jesus re-affirmed the closing words of Joel’s prophecy just before he
ascended into heaven. “And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). So,
Church, go and be strong.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings
13
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