Then Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke
23:34 NKJ)
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke
23:34 NKJ)
We can only imagine
the pain and suffering that Christ experienced just prior to his crucifixion
and death. The physical horrors inflicted on him were so terrible that focusing
on them would produce cold sweats and sleepless night.
the pain and suffering that Christ experienced just prior to his crucifixion
and death. The physical horrors inflicted on him were so terrible that focusing
on them would produce cold sweats and sleepless night.
And for him to
respond with such compassion and love is beyond anything we can imagine, too.
From our human point of view, self-defense and retaliation are the proper
responses for such treatment. Certainly, we cannot imagine pleading with God to
forgive the guilty parties. Perhaps this is why many people reject God’s story.
Perhaps this is the obstruction to their faith.
respond with such compassion and love is beyond anything we can imagine, too.
From our human point of view, self-defense and retaliation are the proper
responses for such treatment. Certainly, we cannot imagine pleading with God to
forgive the guilty parties. Perhaps this is why many people reject God’s story.
Perhaps this is the obstruction to their faith.
Yet, Christ’s words
haunt us. Forgive them. His love and compassion get in our ears and hearts
eating away at our fears and doubts. His love for us is so great that running
from it doesn’t get us free, because when we stop running there is his love
staring us in the face.
haunt us. Forgive them. His love and compassion get in our ears and hearts
eating away at our fears and doubts. His love for us is so great that running
from it doesn’t get us free, because when we stop running there is his love
staring us in the face.
His act of love is
so extensive that we can’t imagine anyone going so far to show love, but time
and eternity demand a response from us. How does one refute love freely given?
How do you reject the one who accepts your sentence and punishment and lets you
go free? Who doesn’t want to be
forgiven?
so extensive that we can’t imagine anyone going so far to show love, but time
and eternity demand a response from us. How does one refute love freely given?
How do you reject the one who accepts your sentence and punishment and lets you
go free? Who doesn’t want to be
forgiven?
Forgive them! He
hands all of us — them , you, me — into God’s hands. He places himself
between us and justice. He willingly received our just punishment and gave us
his mercy, love and grace. He asked God to forgive us and give us that peace
which surpasses any human understanding.
hands all of us — them , you, me — into God’s hands. He places himself
between us and justice. He willingly received our just punishment and gave us
his mercy, love and grace. He asked God to forgive us and give us that peace
which surpasses any human understanding.
Today’s text reminds
me of what Jesus did for me. It produces shouts of praise and glory!
Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Glory to God! Praise his holy name! “Forgive
them,” Jesus said. And he left it there.
me of what Jesus did for me. It produces shouts of praise and glory!
Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Glory to God! Praise his holy name! “Forgive
them,” Jesus said. And he left it there.
Dear Father, thank
you for the love you shed abroad in our hearts through Jesus Christ. Empower us
to both forgive and share your forgiveness with all those we meet along our
way. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the love you shed abroad in our hearts through Jesus Christ. Empower us
to both forgive and share your forgiveness with all those we meet along our
way. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Follow the Lord’s
example today and forgive them,
example today and forgive them,