Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
Are there parts of your faith that you struggle with? Perhaps tithing? Or loving your enemies? Not all of Jesus’ teachings were light and easy; some of them are hard pills to swallow.
One of those unpleasant things Jesus commands us to do is forgive those who have hurt us (Matthew 6:12-15 NIVUK).
To be honest, this is the part that I struggle with most!
I’m generally quick to forgive. But there are a few people in my life whose actions were borderline evil and have knowingly hurt me without ever apologising. Those offences I struggle to forgive wholeheartedly! However, I have chosen to forgive and will continue to do so every time those painful memories arise, but it’s not easy.
Thankfully, I have a great teacher. Because Jesus, while He was dying a torturous death on the cross, chose to forgive! The first of seven things Jesus said while He was on the cross was:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34 NIV
I wonder who Jesus was referring to when He said “them”?
Could it be that He was talking about the people who had humiliated Him and stripped Him naked? Maybe the soldiers who whipped Him? Or those who put a crown of thorns on His head and nailed Him to the cross?
Perhaps He was referring to His disciples, all of whom abandoned Him and fled? Maybe Judas, who had betrayed Him or Peter, who claimed He loved Jesus but outright denied knowing Him three times?
All of this to say that Jesus had a lot to forgive.
Who do you struggle to forgive? I want to bet that whatever they’ve done to you is nowhere near as bad as the list of things Jesus was subjected to.
If He could forgive His offenders while their offence was ongoing, I am sure you, too, with His help, can forgive those who have sinned against you!
