“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’” (Luke 23:33-34).
It took much effort for Jesus to speak while nailed to the cross. Every breath became increasingly difficult. Therefore, each of His “words” spoken on the cross carry significant meaning.
While the soldiers were gambling for His clothing, his first “word” was praying for His Father to forgive them. J.C. Ryle wrote, “These words were probably spoken while our Lord was being nailed to the cross, or as soon as the cross was reared up on end. It is worthy to remark that as soon as the blood of the Great Sacrifice began to flow, the Great High Priest began to intercede.” While others mocked Him, Jesus prayed for them!
The natural tendency would be to beg for one’s life, to shout aloud of one’s innocence, and/or curse those who were mocking and torturing you. Instead, Jesus prays to His Father. The fact that He was asking His Father to forgive them intimates that He had already done so. Jesus understood the bondage that unforgiveness carries with it. He knew that unforgiveness was like drinking poison and waiting for the person who wronged you to die. Unforgiveness in one area can lead to bitterness that affects many areas.
Jesus said, “they do not know what they are doing.” They did know what they were doing. They just did not know the enormity of what they were doing. Jesus was not just another criminal they were putting to death. They were blinded to the reality that He was the Son of God who was willingly giving His life for the payment of their sins as well as the sins of the world – past, present, and future. In fact, “none of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).
Jesus’ prayer of intercession was a supernatural act. It had a profound impact. Jesus’ intercession paved the way for the conversion of one of the thieves on the cross. Following Jesus’ death, a centurion, one of the soldiers who crucified Jesus, recognized who Jesus was. Jesus’ prayer opened to door to the conversion of thousands on the Day of Pentecost and beyond.
If you have not as of yet, today is the day to RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS for your sins. Jesus died for you so your sins would be forgiven. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
One last thing…it is time to FORGIVE OTHERS. The first words Jesus speaks while on the cross is about forgiveness. This is significant and practical. Who has been wronged more than Jesus? Have you? I think not. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). These commands are given to us to free us not to torture us. Failing to forgive is first of all a sin of unforgiveness, which grieves the Holy Spirit and stunts the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Pray the prayer that Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive _________________ as I forgive ______________ for they do not know what they have done.”