Forgive Them

 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

— Luke 23:34

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Your first words from the cross were, "Father, forgive them." As you willingly laid down your life and allowed Roman soldiers to nail your wrists and your feet to the rough timbers of your cross, you cried, "Father, forgive them." As rulers and onlookers mocked and jeered shouting, "He saved others, let him save himself!", you said, "Father, forgive them." As soldiers gambled for your clothing and sneered saying, "If you're the King of the Jews, save yourself," you breathed out, "Father, forgive them."

Forgiveness was overflowing from your breaking heart toward a people who were wickedly callous yet deeply confused. "For they do not know what they are doing." How could they? They had no idea that the sinless Son of God was paying the price for their sin and in three days would rise from the grave. They had no awareness that their sin debt was about to be erased once and for all if they chose to accept it. They were oblivious to the jaw-dropping reality that God had made himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and now humbling himself by being obedient to death—even death on a cross! These onlookers and bystanders had no understanding that one day every knee will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

So you cried out for forgiveness. As your body was racked with torturous pain and your soul was seared with agonizing grief and sorrow, your heart remained wide open pouring forth a river of relentless love. You forgave them. And you forgave me.

Gracious Lord Jesus, on this day we call Good Friday, thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for dying on that cross in my place, when I did not even know what I was doing. Help me to live with forgiveness toward others—those who have rejected me, rebuked me, and even mocked me. Because You forgave them, I can, too.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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