Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them ...

.... for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). These words of Jesus are strangely absent from some of the earliest manuscripts, though to my mind the partial repetition by Stephen at the point of his martyrdom (Acts 7:60), cements their authenticity. Stephen's words “do not charge them with this sin” also help me to know who “them” are, and what Jesus was asking the Father to forgive. In particular it was those who were involved in "this sin,"  His crucifixion. We are told Satan had entered into Judas (Luke 22:3), so it's not much of a stretch to believe that he had entered into the religious rulers and those that followed them. In any case Satan had certainly taken them captive to do his bidding (2 Timothy 2:26). But that they did not know what they were doing is clear, for “none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).

Ignorance of what we do does not automatically excuse either us, or them. If Jesus had not asked the Father to forgive them for this sin, no doubt unless they repented, they would not be forgiven of it. Imagine the depth of hell to which they would be consigned if they were to be held accountable for crucifying the Lord of Glory. We too would be held accountable by the way, because it was because of our need that He died for us! But again no doubt, there would be many, many other things of which they, and we, were and are guilty. And we must all stand before the Father one day to give an account (2 Corinthians 5:10). But there is good news for those of us who, through repentance, have come to know Him. In particular, we have Jesus as our eternal High priest, and in this role He is able to save us completely, because he always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:24, 25).

But Jesus is also our example to follow (Luke 9:23), and in terms of how He forgives, the bar is high. At the time of His greatest pain, and at His weakest, Jesus is still at His best. Many times we have difficulty forgiving because we don't want them to get away with it. But do you and I really I want people to be in hell for what they have done to us? Would that be a good thing to know in heaven? Jesus teaching is clear, if we do not forgive neither will He forgive us (Matthew 6:14). If we forgive them, and God forgives them for what they have done to us, there will still be plenty of other things for which they will be held accountable. Not saying any of this is easy, but if we are to be followers of Jesus, we must follow Him in this too. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all (Luke 6:46)!

Lord Jesus, being asked to forgive acts of violence and abuse can feel like more abuse at times. But we need to forgive for out own sake. Bitterness and resentment are poison for us and for those we love, and there can be none of that in heaven. Since You will not force us, we do indeed need to let go. Help us to receive Your grace in this area Lord (Hebrews 12:15). We want to be like You Lord, in Your precious Name Amen