A couple of months ago, Scott and I blazed through the first
two seasons, all 20 episodes, of The Crown on Netflix. Once we got started with
it, it was hard to turn it off.
One episode in particular (Season 2, Episode 6) has been
lingering with me. In it, Queen Elizabeth meets Billy Graham. In light of Rev.
Graham’s recent death, it’s been on my mind even more so.
Queen Elizabeth was struggling to forgive her uncle, the
Duke of Windsor. She’d only been Queen
for a couple of years. Twenty years earlier, her uncle left Britain at the
behest of the government due to his reasons for abdicating the throne less than
a year into his reign. (Her father then became king, which is how she
eventually ended up with the crown).
The Duke of Windsor was seeking to return to Britain. He
needed the approval of Queen Elizabeth, the Sovereign, to do so. She struggled
with the decision because she had been made aware of some German diplomatic
papers that were uncovered at the end of World War II. These files apparently provided incriminating
evidence of the Duke of Windsor’s sympathetic association with Fϋhrer Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. The British
government had tried to suppress the documents, but their release was
inevitable. She had great affection for her uncle, but also great disdain for
his treasonous behavior that threatened their entire country.
That apparently was around the same time Billy Graham and
Queen Elizabeth became friends. Rev. Graham had been holding evangelistic
crusades in London and she sought him out as counsel on forgiveness. She asked
him, “Are there any circumstances where one can be a good Christian and yet not
forgive?”
She couldn’t bring herself to forgive her uncle and queried Rev.
Graham about it. In their conversation Rev. Graham reminded her that no one is
beneath forgiveness and that even Jesus, while he was dying on a cross, asked
God to forgive those who had hung him there to die. Finally, he told her, “The
solution for not being able to forgive: one asks for forgiveness one self, humbly and
sincerely. And, prays for those one cannot forgive.”
That’s what I couldn’t stop thinking about. Forgiveness is Christ’s
example. Not being able to forgive someone who has wronged me is something I
need to ask forgiveness for. Not forgiving
someone who has wronged me makes me guilty too, and therefore in need of
forgiveness. The good news is that God promises that He will always offer it
when we ask.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
While the subject of forgiveness was still in the forefront
of my thoughts, I read the testimony of Rachael Denhollander, a former USA
Gymnastics Team member and sexual assault victim, regarding team doctor Larry Nassar
who is accused of sexually abusing more than 250 young girls over several
decades. Rachael, too, spoke of forgiveness as she directed her words to her
abuser, “And that is what makes the gospel of Christ so sweet. Because it
extends grace and hope and mercy where none should be found. And it will be
there for you. I pray you experience the soul crushing weight of guilt so you
may someday experience true repentance and true forgiveness from God, which you
need far more than forgiveness from me -- though I extend that to you as well.”
The Bible is pretty clear on the subject: “For if you forgive other
people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not
forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
It’s a simple concept. Simple,
yes, but not always easy. It’s humbling and embarrassing to ask for forgiveness
when you mess up. It can be even more agonizing when you’re the one that needs
to extend forgiveness to a criminal, an abuser, or a traitor.
We recently had an invasion of our home and privacy. Thankfully,
we were not home at the time, but every single piece of gold jewelry that we
owned (that we weren’t wearing at the time) was stolen. No single piece was
extremely valuable, but collectively it was all worth more than our homeowners
insurance would cover. Every necklace,
ring, and pendant had been a gift.
Because of the sentimental attachment to the jewelry, my
feelings were really hurt. They still are. It took me a couple of weeks before
I actually got angry about it and when I finally did, I took it out on everyone
around me. I was not a happy person to be around and regretfully, showed little
evidence of forgiveness.
Now I find myself thinking about what I would say if I ever
come face to face with the person that smashed my door in and stole my jewelry.
I can’t, yet, say for sure what words I would use, but following the advice of
Rev. Billy Graham, I’m praying for forgiveness. I’m praying for the burglar. I’m
praying that both of us will know that merely for the asking, “In him we have
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” Ephesians
1:7
I’ll be praying that because, “Blessed is the one who
perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will
receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love
him.” James 1:12
Our sins are forgiven because of the riches of God’s grace.
That’s the crowning glory I want reigning in my life.
