Kick It Up!

BAM!  Kick it up a notch!

American chef, Emeril Lagasse made that phrase famous during his popular TV cooking show.  As he was creating culinary delights, Emeril would take the ordinary, and by adding the next ingredient, turn it into something extraordinary.

Kicking it up a notch is what went through my mind as I considered the words and actions of Stephen as the angry Jews questioned him about Christ.  Starting with Abraham, Stephen recounted the history of God and His chosen people.  Yet, after being reminded that the Jews had crucified Christ, they rose up and stoned Stephen.

As Stephen lay dying, the Bible tells us, “Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59-60).

BAM!  Forgiveness kicked up to the highest notch.  As Stephen took his final breaths, he had a few options – he could have been very angry and hate-filled toward those attacking him.  He could have remained silent, leaving it completely in God’s hands to handle as He saw best.  He could have personally forgiven them and stopped there.  But, Stephen went even further than that – he asked God to forgive them too.  I’m sure you see the similarity between Stephen’s words, and the words of Christ on the cross,

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The same options are available to us today.  We can refuse to forgive those who wrong us.  We can forgive them from our own hearts only.  Or, we can go the extra mile and ask that the Lord forgive them as well.  Are you willing to be as much like Christ as possible and kick your forgiveness up from the ordinary to the extraordinary?  –Dave

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