Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

Luke 23:34

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…”

This is one of the most wonderful utterances that came forth from Jesus’ lips while He hang dying on the cross. Every word He spoke there ought to be examined with the highest regard, for they were the last words that He uttered. Here we see Him hanging between two thieves. They are malefactors! They are wicked men! He did not belong there! He did not deserve it. But here the Scriptures are fulfilled which said, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Why so? So that He may “bear the sin of many.” Jesus, the perfect sinless Son of God, came to die and numbered Himself among transgressors for our sake. And one of these thieves mocked Him, the other admitted His sin, and called on Christ to be saved. Jesus told him that He would that day “be with me in paradise.” What a glorious salvation! At the moment of death, a soul is forgiven. On the brink of eternal damnation, a man is rescued! And is this not the same forgiveness that is now offered to every human being? We may be forgiven and saved through trusting and believing in the atoning work of Christ. And now we turn our attention to the utterance which is the topic of the day. Jesus said, no doubt referring to those who had brutally and cruelly tortured Him, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Father, forgive them! They know not what they do! And oh that this may be the same utterance of our mouths to the Lord. It is often difficult to forgive. We think of what others have done to us, but have you thought about what your sin cost Christ? And yet, Christ desired salvation for those who tormented and crucified Him. Have you been crucified? Have you been thus tormented? Have you been falsely accused? Have you been persecuted, hurt, or maligned? I say to you, my beloved, if you claim Christianity, you are obligated to forgive. For that is what your Savior did. But wait! You have no strength to do it yourself! No power lies within you. You are innately without the means to fully forgive. So there is only way to do it. Forgive them to the Father. Say, “Father, forgive them.” If you seriously and sincerely ask the Father to forgive, how could you hold a grudge or evil thought yourself? For you have forgiven all to the Father in the name of Christ.

Dear friend, as we meditate with new eyes and refreshed mind this week on the sufferings of Christ, let us examine how our hearts and minds are conformed to the image of God’s holy Son. Have you forgiven? If not, the Father cannot fully forgive you. “When ye stand praying, forgive,” our Lord said. This we must do if we desire our sin to be forgiven in the eyes of God. Right now, in this very moment, forgive in the person of Christ. Say, “Father, forgive them.” Because in the majority of situations, they know not what they do.

“Father, in the person of Christ, we forgive all that are indebted to us. We release them. We blot out any and all wrongs. Even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us, we do the same. May we be released this day from the prison of bitterness, hurt, and unforgiveness. Many do not know what they are doing, and we give them over into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”