By Gina Caswell Kelly
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Perhaps, the most heartbreaking words uttered from the cross. Jesus’ first words from on the cross. But, who was Jesus asking His Father to forgive? Was it the Romans who were responsible for placing Him on the cross? Was it those who viciously hammered nails through His hands and feet? Was it those who mocked and jeered Him?
Or was it the Jews? Those for whom He came, who did not believe He was who He claimed to be.
Was it those from His own hometown who did not believe He spoke the truth when He said He was the Messiah?
Was it Peter? The disciple who denied Him three times? Was it the other disciples who could never seem to totally understand His mission?
Or, was it me? Was it me He was asking the Father to forgive? Was it me and the careless way I serve Him? Was it me when I think I can justify my sins because I am a pretty good person?
Think about what He had been through by this point. He had been beaten. He had been stripped. He had been forced to carry His own cross up the hill to the point where He could go no further and needed help. He had been nailed to the cross. A crown made of thorns had been placed, no pushed onto His head. A sword had pierced His side. He was a bloody mess hanging there. He was hung in the center between two thieves up on a hill for all to see. A sign was placed above His head that stated “Behold, the King of the Jews.” The sign mocked Him.
And yet, He forgave them. In fact, He asked for forgiveness as His very first thought on the cross.
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Perhaps, “they” didn’t. But we do. We knowingly sidestep serving Him when it is inconvenient. We knowingly ignore the needs of His people around us. We knowingly don’t invite others to know the Master we claim to serve. We knowingly miss going to His house when we have something else we think is more important.
Father forgive me, when I know to do right and I don’t. Father forgive me when I ignore the needs of your people. Father forgive me for not placing You first in my life.
Father forgive me.
God’s forgiveness makes the difference.
