Look to the Cross

Week 2: When It’s Personal Friday

This Week’s Memory Verse

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV84

Psalm

Psalm 22:1-5 NIV

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”

Proverbs

Proverbs 20:22 NIV

“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.”

Today’s Thought

When forgiveness feels impossible, look to the cross.

First Peter 2:23-24 reminds us that when Jesus was insulted, He did not retaliate. When He suffered, He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly. Then, through his words, Peter points us to the cross, where Jesus bore our sins.

The cross does not tell us that sin does not matter. The cross shows us how seriously God takes sin and how far His mercy was willing to go.

When the hurt comes back, look to the cross.

When anger rises, look to the cross.

When you begin keeping score, look to the cross.

Remember what Jesus has done for you.

Pray

“Jesus, when forgiveness feels difficult, turn my eyes toward the cross. I want to see, and feel, how much You took upon Yourself for me. Thank You for bearing my sin and showing me mercy. Help your mercy shape my response to those who have hurt me. Amen.”

Today’s Mercy Step

Spend a few minutes meditating on 1 Peter 2:23-24. Read it slowly two or three times. Then name the hurt you are carrying and consciously entrust justice to God.