Prayer: Holy God, may we learn from these, your words in our scriptures. May we have the traits exhibited by Jesus become fused into us. Amen.

This Lenten season we have been exploring what it means to have the Spirit of God regenerated within us. Does it mean that we become like Jesus? In part, I think so. Does it mean that say good-bye to a nonchalant attitude about God’s involvement in our lives? Probably so. Does it mean that some of Jesus’ divine traits show up in us? You bet, if we let them!

The last few Wednesdays we have explored what traits might show up in us because God’s Holy Spirit is alive in us. First we looked a bit introspectively at our selves and our church. I asked us to think about the highest qualities and traits we have and the qualities that we would most likely want to improve. That exercise started us off on the season of Lent during which we are hoping to grow in our own Christ-likeness.

The second Wednesday, we looked at Jesus’ trait when he was a prayerful worshiper. In the midst of his demanding life, he took time to pray and worship God. That trait we can exhibit too. In the midst of all our demands, stresses, pressures, it is important to exhibit the trait of worshiping God regularly for sustenance in the middle of the stress.

Next, we watched how Jesus was a message bearer of God’s good news… good news that comes to us as the difficulties in life tend to paralyze us and freeze us in place. But, the message that Jesus brings is that God is love, and God is light, and when we receive that message, the power of God can unfreeze us, enabling us to pass along the same message to someone else who is frozen due to all the hardships that go on in life.

Tonight, let’s tackle the daunting and the-sometimes-hard-to-do “Jesus trait” of giving and accepting forgiveness. When mistakes, big and small, are made against us, Jesus teaches that we are not hold it over that person’s head. Ever. We are to forgive that person as often as is needed. We are also to receive forgiveness when it is genuinely offered to us when we make our mistakes.

This is a challenging trait to exhibit, yes? No matter how painful, no matter how heinous, no matter how much we might want revenge or our brand of justice… Jesus was clear about what the trait is, as we heard in our scripture reading tonight.

To help us understand the significance of this trait, I have designed this little monologue based on what was ripped from the headlines this morning. Did you hear about this? A pharmacist is now in custody for his wicked scheme of stealing people’s money and harming their lives. This little skit is constructed along the story line of our scripture tonight to help us understand Jesus’ point. Let’s watch: [take off robe. Move behind table.]

Hello Mrs. Jamison. How are you today? Need a refill of your insulin for your diabetes? No problem. I will be glad to refill this…. [evil laugh.] Move to the Communion table and pretend to refill the insulin pill bottle. Say to yourself, “I think I will give her these pills that have half the insulin, but I will charge her the full amount. [evil laugh.] She will never know the difference. [evil laugh]. Here you go.”

Hello, Mr. Rankin. Need a refill of your anti-rejection drug for your kidney? No problem. Just let me refill it. [evil laugh.] Move to the Communion table and pretend to refill the anti-rejection pill bottle. Say to yourself, “I think I will give him these little pills that is a placebo, but I will charge him the full amount. [evil laugh.] He will never know the difference. [evil laugh]. Here you go.”

Hello… hey what the…! Why are you putting me under arrest? My wicked scheme has been discovered? I must face the judge! Oh no… [I put my arms behind my back like I’m hand-cuffed. I go to the front of the Communion table and have a conversation with the judge.

Your honor, I am under arrest because I concocted this wicked scheme of giving people less dosages than what was required on their prescription. Or, I gave them placebos instead of their real medicine. How long have I been doing this? For years… I stole nearly half a million dollars this way. What? I can’t afford to pay back all those people! What? I can’t afford to buy their medicines for the next three years! What! Sell my house? My car? Put my wife and children to work? Put me in jail??? Please, your honor! Have mercy on me! Be tender with me! Be kind to me… I will get my life back on track. I will pay these people back. Be patient with me…

What? Hello? My sin is forgiven? I don't have to pay back these bills? Oh, your honor.. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[go out of the sanctuary, put on your hat, and come back in… take off hat, coat, and sit down. Answer your cell phone…] Hello? Oh, it’s you. You forgot again. You know what—I’m sick and tired of your excuses! I’m fed up with having to wait for you to get your act together so you can pay me back the $10 that you owe me! No! I will not have patience with you. I’m all out of patience. I’m going to small claims court. I’ll sue. You will pay for the $10 you owe me and you will pay for the court fees, and you will pay me back the 10% interest you owe me. I don’t care… that’s it! [hang up the phone. Pause… Start to call the judge…]

[Long pause…hang up. Start again… ] Your honor? I’m lucky to have my home. Thank you for forgiving me. I didn’t deserve it. If you’ll excuse me, I have another phone call to make. Bye. [hang up phone, and call another number.]

Hello? Hey. Listen about what I said a few minutes ago… I’m sorry said that. I didn’t mean it. And, to make it right with you, don’t worry about the $10. I know you forgot, but I forgive you for that. No… no interest required.

What? Why the change? Let’s just say that turn about is fair play. You’re worthy of being forgiven because I was worthy of it, too. OK? Good. Take care. Bye.

Yes, what Jesus teaches us is challenging. This trait of giving and accepting forgiveness is something that is not necessarily natural within us, but as Christ’s Spirit is regenerated within us, we will be reminded that giving and accepting forgiveness is a trait of all followers of Jesus. May we acquire and practice this trait always.

Next week we will discuss the Christ-like trait of having colorblind compassion.

Let’s be quiet as we think and pray. Amen.