We all need second chances. We rise. We fall. We hopefully rise again.

Today is the ultimate day of second chances. Although we are sinful, Jesus died on the cross for us, to redeem us and give us a second chance:

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25

How many times do I let the insult, misstep, or even simple misunderstanding of someone else drive a wedge between us? Or worse, result in me returning the insult or misdeed. Turning the other cheek is hard. Forgiveness is even harder. But, oh how I want that forgiveness when I misstep! Oh, how I want that second chance, that do-over, that mulligan for my own failings.

Jesus endured betrayal and rejection from his friends. He endured being arrested and bound. He endured the rejection of the crowd (and “public opinion”). He endured their shouts to crucify him. He endured being scourged. He endured the soldiers mocking him, stripping him of his clothes and human dignity. He endured them spitting on him. He endured thorns piercing into his scalp and the soldiers striking his head. And he endured hours on the cross, nails driven through his flesh, hanging there to die, while others continued to taunt and mock. All for you. All for me. All to give us a second chance. To repair the damage that our sin caused. To ransom us, redeem us and return us to the One who created us, the One who loves us so much, that He sent his only Son — so that we would know Him and willingly return to Him.

It is a day for second chances.

Lord,

Forgive me for my sins. Forgive me for turning away from you, for focusing on things of this world more than the next. I am truly sorry. I am sorry that things I have done and things I have failed to do, hurt you and hurt others whom you love. Thank you for giving me a second chance (and a third, fourth, fifth and sixth….). I desire to do better. I desire to sin no more. I desire not to go astray. Please forgive me. Please continue to lead me. I love you, Lord. I am thankful, grateful and humbled by your sacrifice and love for me. Help me to serve you and your world better. Help me to forgive others who hurt me. Help me help others always know the second chance that you provide.