Sometimes "I'm Sorry" Is Not Enough

Making amends is never a frivolous matter. It involves more than simply saying, "I’m sorry." Sometimes parents force children to say those words knowing they’re not sincere. Making amends goes beyond seeking forgiveness or apologizing. Making amends takes steps to compensate for causing hurt and suffering whenever possible.  

          Jacob knew if he were to live in peace with his brother, he would have to make amends to appease Esau’s anger and hurt. Making amends attempts to restore a relationship to trust and respect. It's comparable to atoning for deliberate wrongs committed against someone because of anger, greed, jealousy, or fear.

          Jacob was desperate. He was willing to bow down in subjection to his brother. Jacob had stolen his brother’s position, wealth and power, so making a sacrifice worthy of Esau’s loss was the issue. When you consider the sacrifice that Jesus made for us so we could be in right standing with God, our sacrifices seem so insignificant in comparison.  

Sacrifice: A Bridge over Obstacles

When Jacob arrived at his uncle's home, he immediately began a relationship with his cousin Rachel that would change his life. Genesis 29:18 confirms he agreed to work seven years for Rachel. The culture of the day permitted fathers to choose husbands for their daughters. Laban told Jacob he would rather give her to him than someone else.

Rachel was possibly a teenager at the time of this agreement. Jacob was in his early forties. Yet he was so smitten with Rachel, seven years would pass quickly. He could see her every day, so anticipation for a joyful marriage had time to blossom and grow.  

Rachel’s father would prove be an obstacle for Jacob’s happiness. Instead of permitting this obstacle to dominate his chances for happiness, he agreed to the underhanded dealings of his uncle. Rachel’s love was worth any sacrifice. Isn't that how Jesus felt when he sacrificed himself for us? Have you accepted God’s sacrificial love for you? Think about it.  

Greasing the Wheels of Change - Part 1

         Philosophers say the more rigid we are in what we’ve settled for in life, the more resistant we are to change and growth. Becoming a prisoner of what we’ve settled for is not uncommon because choosing to change is not a simple task. Letting go of any habit or behavior involves an intense struggle and usually takes longer than anticipated to be successful.

          Jesus asked his disciples to share in his struggle on the night before his crucifixion by praying and keeping a vigil, but sleep overcame them. Jesus’ response was, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Perhaps Jesus was pointing to his own humanness he would have to encounter as he faced the reality of pain and death on the cross.

          The implementation of God’s great plan came at great hardship for God and Jesus. If sincere consideration is given to what God sacrificed for us and what Jesus endured, then it makes sense to be less rigid and more prone to changes we can make that are pleasing to God.  Eytg