Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”.
In order to understand Forgiveness, we would need to understand the Love of Christ, which serves as the foundation for all acts of kindness and compassion. This profound love encourages us to look beyond our grievances and recognize the shared humanity in every individual, inviting us to embrace a spirit of empathy and understanding.
It is an essential expression of our faith and commitment to living harmoniously with one another, ultimately leading us to a deeper connection with both the divine and our fellow beings.
Jesus is asking for forgiveness from his Father, for the people, who are crucifying him. Baffled. Are you not?
- What was the need for forgiveness? Is there any divine aspect of it?
- Why would Jesus ask the Father, who according to Genesis created heavens and earth, to forgive those who are trying to crucify him?
- Why would Jesus ask the Father, who give us everything that we have here on earth, to forgive them?
- Why would Jesus ask the Father, who has power to judge Sodom and Gomorrah and whole earth but saved Noah, to forgive them?
- Why would Jesus ask the Father, who has the power to do anything and everything, to forgive them?
Let’s go to Scene of Crucifixion (Jesus falsely accused)
- Jesus, son of the God, who came into this world to save us, is in pain.
- Jesus, who took all our infirmities upon himself, whose whole purpose on this earth was to do the will of his father, is agonizing.
- Jesus, the son of sinless God, who came for sinners is being brutally tortured.
- Jesus, the light, who came into this world to be the light of this world, is suffering and carrying his own cross.
- Jesus, the beauty, whose beard is being plucked.
- Jesus, who fed five thousand with five loaves and 2 fish, is being spit upon.
- Jesus, the King of Kings, is being whipped by soldiers who are mocking him.
- Women and children running all over and crying.
- Soldiers pushing him, showing him no mercy, mocking and laughing at HIM.
We all are watching this. Throughout the way, we are walking on his blood that is being shed for us so that we can be saved.
Now we are at a place of Skull. The time has come.
Soldiers are laying him on the cross, nailing his palms and feet and crucifying him and Jesus says “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
What is Forgiveness?
In simple terms, it means to pardon or excuse someone’s fault.
How often do we really mean it and practice it in our daily life?
In today’s world, we use the word “forgive” very lightly. We say “I forgive you” or “I am sorry, please forgive me”. We ask for forgiveness again and again and do the very same act repeatedly. We forgive people and still hold grudge against them. Think about it
- If we are tortured like Jesus was, what would we do?
- Why would Jesus ask for forgiveness?
- Why Jesus simply not rebuked all the people who were trying to crucify him?
- Why did he not ask the Father to put an end to it just the way it happened to every Pharaoh when they were trying to come after the people of Israel crossing the Red sea.
Reason
- Because we are his children.
- Because we are made in his image.
- Because of the plan of salvation.
- Because the soldiers and all the people who wanted to crucify HIM did not understand the greatness of heaven.
- Because they did not understand HIS love that HE came into this world to save us and to show us how to love one another.
- Because seeing they did not see the miracles that Jesus did in front of their eyes.
- Because of the love for people.
I don’t see any Father rebuking his own kids.
When, we love our kids so much and cannot just leave them to be damned.
When, we cannot hold grudge against our kids when they make a mistake.
When, we want to save our kids from all sorts of pain, agony and suffering.
Then, why don’t we understand that he loves us and has forgiven us because we are his children.
No matter how many time we pierce his heart with our wrong doings, we need to understand that blessing is in the love. The unconditional act of love and forgiveness.
Mark 11:25 talks about forgiving others when we pray.
It says, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses”.
In this world, sometimes, we have hard time forgiving once but look what Jesus says to Peter in Matthew 18: 21-22
PETER
Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?
JESUS
I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
- In today’s world, we have law that punishes every criminal, according to the crime committed.
- But, according to New Testament, anyone who seeks Jesus, is forgiven.
- Instead of law of the old testament, love is shown to us in new testament.
- Instead of damnation, eternal life is given to us.
- Instead of being a solitary soul, we are given Holy Spirit.
- Instead of punishment, we are forgiven.
Jesus taught us to pray. I am sure, many times, many of us know and have prayed Lord’s Prayer. Forgiveness is mentioned even in there. “And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” or in another translation it goes like “And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive them that trespass against us”.
So, starting today, let’s do what we pray. Forgive our debtors and the ones who trespass against us. If everyone on this planet truly love and forgive each other then we would see paradise right here on earth. James writes in Chapter 15:16 that “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.“ Forgiveness is an act that brings love in our life and free us from our own bondage of hatred and revenge. It starts to make a change not only in us but in others as well.
Let’s start the process of inner healing and restore ourselves.
Let’s make a positive change within ourselves and others.
Let’s be a change that can transform a Criminal into Christ like.
Desire Life. Desire Love. Desire Light and Stay Blessed. Thank you.
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