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

 

By Gary Andrews

gary@gadevotionals.com

 

     When Jesus was being nailed to the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34 NKJV

     What a message that our Lord and Savior was giving us even as He was about to be crucified.

     Jesus died between two thieves. One came to repentance and the other was hardened to the ways of the world and wished only to be saved from the cross.

     One of the criminals as he hung on the cross hurled insults at Jesus, saying “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us!” Luke 23:39. NKJV

     In our modern-day times aren’t some of us continuing to hurl insults at Christ? Aren’t many of our friends and acquaintances saying that we need to believe in the world and worldly reasoning to get along with people? Has the age of forgiveness been forgotten?

     There are many times when our friends, relatives, and others try to manipulate one another and end up being cross or mad at each other over something trivial. The days go by and a forgiving spirit is forgotten because the incident is not as fresh as it once was on our minds and we hang on to resentment and chastisement.

     Just as the thief on the cross, we believe in ourselves and what the world teaches instead of giving our lives over to Jesus and trusting in Him for salvation and eternal life. Our hope is not in this world, but peace and contentment are granted to us through Christ and only through Him.

     In Luke 23:40-43 we are told, “but the other criminal rebuked him. “Do you not fear God,” he said, “seeing you are under the same condemnation? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

     Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

     This thief was truly penitent and even though Christ was in His greatest struggle and agony, forgave him of his sins and accepted him into eternal rest.

     The same is true for us today if we will accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. When He calls us home, we too can be sure of having eternal life with Him in a place we call Heaven.

     As we walk this earth, we need to remember that we need to have a forgiving spirit. Matthew 6:14 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

     Prayer - Father, thank you for loving a sinner like me. Help me to forgive others and have understanding just as you have forgiven me for my sins.” Amen.

     (Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday - Matthew 5:43-48; Monday - Proverbs 20:22; Tuesday - Luke 6:35-38; Wednesday - Romans 12:17-20; Thursday - Isaiah 30:21; Friday - Psalm 37:23-24; Saturday -John 15:5-8) A056-09