This post is part of The Seven Words of Jesus series.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Crucifixion was one of the most inhumane, torturous, and agonizing ways to die. It wasn’t a quick death by any means. The Roman government reserved it for the worst of the worst criminals as a demoralizing deterrent for the rest of society. Stay in line—or suffer.
It was exactly the sort of death God decided his Son would endure.
Hands that helped and healed the sick and dying now stretched out on a rough, wooden beam, pierced by nails. Feet that once walked on water now nailed to a tree. A bowed head crowned with thorns—creation inflicting agony upon its Creator.
And what did our Savior say when the Roman soldiers nailed him to the tree, when they inflicted him with such humiliation and agony? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Can you imagine hearing that as a Roman soldier or while standing among the onlookers? Not curses spat back at those killing him, but a plea to the God of heaven and earth for his forgiveness.
See our Savior’s heart! See what forgiveness truly looks like. See what forgiveness looks like even more clearly when you stop and consider that while the soldiers didn’t know they were crucifying the Son of God, you and I do.
I know it was my sins that led Jesus to the cross. I know it was for me and my transgressions that he bled and died. For all the times I know that what I want to do is evil and wrong . . . and then I go ahead and do it anyway. For all the times I hold on to anger and refuse to forgive those who’ve wronged me in some way that’s infinitesimally smaller than the wrongs my Savior suffered. And Jesus came to forgive all of that too.
Jesus came to forgive. He came to forgive those who don’t know what they’re doing. He came to forgive those who do. He came to forgive me and you. He came to plead for us before the almighty God. Father, forgive them.
Because of our Savior’s shameful, agonizing death on the cross, because he took all of our sins and the punishment we deserve, God the Father does forgive us, dear Christian. Fully and freely for Jesus’ sake.
Their nails were freshly driven, their hatred clearly shown, when, “Let them be forgiven,” was heard at heaven’s throne. Your enemies, O Jesus, you loved beyond degree, a love so pure and precious it even pardoned me.
(CW 436:1)
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Scripture references come from the Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version. Click here to learn more about this translation.
© 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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