“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
It is hard to believe we are drawing near to Easter and remembering the death and resurrection of Christ. We are nearing the time when we recognize the ultimate sacrifice, when Jesus was crucified so that each of us can receive salvation and the forgiveness of our sins.
The Bible walks us through the final days of Jesus’ life where he was condemned, put on trial, persecuted and tormented as he walked to Calvary. In His final words, when His pain was likely at its worst, Jesus spoke the words, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”
The people at the foot of the cross were aware of the works of Jesus, though they could not possibly understand how the life of Christ would change eternity. Jesus chose these final moments to call out to His Father, interceding on the behalf of those that had chosen to ridicule and torture Him on the cross. He made a humble request that his Father forgive those who persecuted Him.
In all our days, we suffer hurt from friends or family and heartache from loss or sickness. We pray in our times of suffering, eagerly seeking God in these moments. We ask the Lord to meet our hearts where He is needed, to give peace to our friends who are in turmoil and pray that we can use our circumstances to bring glory to His kingdom. In reflecting on times when people have hurt me, broken my heart, it is easy for me to pray that God comforts me and guides my steps. It is easy to pray that the Lord provides comfort and restoration to friendships and relationships. But none of my prayers measure up to the selflessness and compassion that Jesus shares aloud in His final moments before death.
What if we were able to pray the way Jesus prayed at the height of his pain, just before his death? Jesus did not pray for His own comfort. He did not even choose to pray for His disciples or the church that would be established in His death. Jesus chose that moment to pray for His enemies.
We serve a God who changes enemies to friends. As Christians, we are commanded to show this same compassion for those who wrong us. The starting point for this is prayer to the God who is able to “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever." (Ephesians 3:20)
Let’s all go into this Easter season doing all we can to live as Christ commanded, with forgiveness and compassion in our hearts, and the desire to show others the beauty of Christ.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
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