But Jesus said, “Father, Forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Then they threw dice to divide his clothes. —Luke 23:34
Two betrayals, deserting disciples, relentless mocking, and a brutal night of pulverizing beatings. Jesus, hung on the cross, life leaking from him. With whatever fortitude remained, he asked God to forgive those inflicting the most cruel punishment devised by mankind.
Dr. Paul Brand, in his book, In His Image, points out the tremendous suffering Jesus paid to purchase our forgiveness. He said Jesus experienced the “full unadulterated fury” of a perfectly functioning nervous system—transferring every inflicted pain throughout his body.
Jesus’s request to forgive those who crucified him carried high stakes. How could Jesus make such a request? He said they didn’t know what they were doing.
Oh, the soldiers knew they were crucifying a man with each wack at the nail head, while lifting a cross made of hard wood, and dropping it with a thud in the hole.
And the religious rulers? They knew exactly why they wanted this man executed—he threatened their privileged position in society.
What Did Jesus Mean?
Jesus meant that they didn’t know the higher purpose behind their deeds.
But Jesus knew his purpose. Hebrews 12:2 states:
“…who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame…”
Jesus didn’t come to take a walk on the wild side. He came to die that we might live. Jesus’ time on Earth wasn’t a walk on the wild side. He set his sight on the cross so we might live.
The soldiers and the religious leaders thought they were stamping out a threat. To their chagrin, Jesus didn’t remain dead— he rose from the grave three days later.
He broke death’s curse, harking back to God’s promise in Genesis 3:15— the serpent would strike at his heel, but he would crush the serpent’s head.
Our Turn
We face painful trials, too. Like Jesus, we must forgive those who sin against us.
By forgiving others, Christians not only obey a command (Ephesians 4:32), but reflect Jesus. Through our obedience, we extend Christ’s work on the cross—we bring light into dark places and reconcile the lost to God.
The Apostle Paul, said it elegantly in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Death, where is thy victory, grave where is thy sting.”
When we forgive, the wound loses its sting—just as Jesus robbed death of its own.
