Father, Forgive Them

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Listen carefully to the words of a dying man. He will not utter trite and meaningless words. Jesus spoke from the cross following the horrendous scourging, the verbal insults, the smitings, the crown of thorns on His head and the nails driven through His hands and feet. The charges they had against Him were supplied by false witnesses. It was here that He spoke His first words from the cross to His Father.

Very similar words were spoken later by Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to be a servant in the first church. When the Jewish authorities brought false charges against him, Stephen reminded them of their history of resisting the Holy Spirit. When they heard these things they cried out against Stephen and began stoning him. His last words on this earth were, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. (Acts 7:60)

Most of us can’t get through life without someone wronging us in some way. We must practice forgiveness toward others. The Bible says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Nor can we get through life without needing to be forgiven by God. Has He forgiven you of something? Not forgiving others is like burning the bridge over which you must cross.