We have to follow Jesus’ example and pray perhaps one of the hardest prayers we could pray. Was forgiveness the order of the day or did it take time to work through that grief and hurt? We must be careful to not let anger turn to bitterness, even if we are completely in the right in the situation. When was the last time someone humiliated or hurt you? When was the last time someone put you in a situation so unbearable that it felt like you weren’t going to come out the other side unscathed? But His forgiveness is also for every person that He is dying for, and that includes you, and it includes me.Īnd yet we see compassion come from Jesus as He calls out to our Heavenly Father to forgive. It’s obvious that Jesus is asking for forgiveness for those who were actually responsible for putting Him on the cross, i.e., Pilate, the Romans, the Jewish leaders, those jeering at Him, etc. There are a couple of schools of thought on what, or rather whom, Jesus was referring to by the word “them.” We are forgiven because of Jesus’ horrifying and painful death. “Forgive them:” The cross is the premiere symbol of the ultimate sacrifice. We see this relationship restored with Jesus’ last statement from the cross: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” ( Luke 23:46). This is a change in relationship as darkness covers the sky and silence covers the earth for three hours. This is contrasted with Jesus’ later statement, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ( Matthew 27:46). “Father:” We see Jesus using a familiar term here showcasing the relationship He had with God the Father. What Is the Meaning of 'Father, Forgive Them'? It’s our sin that led to the crucifixion of our Savior in what is easily the most loving sacrifice ever made and an example of the prayer that we should all keep close to our hearts. And yet, it’s not just the Romans who were responsible for nailing Jesus to that cross. Perhaps the most gracious and truly heartbreaking moment is when Jesus utters his first of seven statements from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” ( Luke 23:34).
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