Forgive Them

Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:34 (NIV)

We should all look to the cross and praise God every moment of our lives. Many of us who look at the cross don't pay attention to what it really means. We always see the story as described in the Bible and the sufferings endured by Christ, but we forget that without the cross there would be no forgiveness for us.

What if we decide to see the cross from Christ's point of view. For Him, carrying the cross was not a heavy burden, it was rather a relief for His heart. To be nailed and hanged was nothing humiliating for Him because He spared us the righteous wrath of God. And, finally, being rejected by those for whom He endured these sufferings did not hurt Him. On the contrary, He revealed to us our weakness and the seriousness of our sinful nature.

In the midst of His excruciating and unbearable pain, He chose to understand our ignorance. Instead of condemning us, He cried out, “Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." Don't you think that is enough to convince us of His love for us?

If you happen to doubt God's love and the price that love has cost Him, remember that His son was beaten, humiliated, rejected and nailed to a cross, and among all the words Jesus said on the cross, He asked that your sins be forgiven.

May the grace of God be upon you.