Father, Forgive Them..

Part 3 of 4

We've been discovering the few phrases that were painfully spoken by our Lord during His crucifixion. We have determined that these words and phrases are especially significant, due to the significant circumstances in which they were uttered. Out of all the words Jesus could have spoken, He chose to speak only a few...

The next phrase I want to visit is found in the Gospel of Luke: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots" (23:34).

Personally, I don't think humanity will soon be able to comprehend the overflowing heart of Jesus, and the continual presence of His extreme mercies. I believe we will forever feast upon this concept, striving to fathom His eternal dispersion of undeserved love! “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps 8:4). Only a man who is super-saturated with Godly love can intercede for the very ones who cause Him pain, anguish, humiliation and suffering. Even though God the Father was the ultimate source of Jesus' death (Acts 2:23), humanity was still the personified hammer that willfully fueled every blow. As Jesus hung there, He was silent. But soon His lips began to move.. What would He say? Would He curse those who beat Him? Would He beg to be let loose? Would He cry for pity? No. He would pray for their forgiveness! Are any beyond God's reach of prayer? Clearly, by Jesus' example, the answer is no!

This phrase possesses many seeds of truth, but for time's sake, we will address only one: by uttering these words, Jesus proved that it is indeed possible, as a man, to “walk the walk”! He didn’t merely teach about radical forgiveness, He also lived it. Grace and truth was not a mere happy thought, but rather it "CAME by Jesus Christ" (Jn 1:17). His lifestyle chased His faith and His actions never betrayed His words; they were never separated, but were one holy entity. What a beautiful example for us to follow! He not only taught the truth, but was Himself the truth incarnate: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6)!

In a day and age where “talk is cheap”, it is vital that the people of God wake up, and start walking in the truth that we so heartily preach to others. Merely possessing God’s truth would be vain if we do not subsequently live it out, and bear fruit (Jas 2:18). Just as Jesus taught truth, He likewise experienced it, day after day. Not only did He say, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matt 5:44), but He also later displayed this heart when He genuinely pleaded for the forgiveness of His tormentors: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).

Friend, isn’t this what the world has been searching for? Doesn’t the world long to see a REAL representation of Jesus? Of course they do. The Moffatt translation of Romans 8:19 says creation “waits with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed”. Another translation says the earth is standing on tiptoes!

Again, such dialogue must have been extra significant, as Jesus spoke it from a place of suffering and torment. How beautiful that such an encouraging thought was one of only a few emotions communicated from the cross. May the grace of God overpower us today, and cause our lifestyles to chase down our faith. May our actions and motives never betray our words! Jesus is our perfect example and forerunner.