December 3

Divine Forgiveness

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. — Luke 23:34 BSB

The first words Jesus spoke from the cross were a prayer: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words were spoken while the soldiers were driving the nails through His hands and feet, causing excruciating pain. Yet, instead of crying out in agony or condemning His tormentors, Jesus prayed for them.

His prayer began the intercession for sinners that His sacrifice would achieve. Though He prayed specifically for the Roman soldiers at that moment, His prayer extended to all who had a hand in His crucifixion, including the Jewish rulers and the crowd who demanded His death. It also reaches down through the ages, covering all of us, for Jesus foresaw the lost world in need of His forgiveness.

This act of prayer teaches us a powerful lesson about forgiveness. Jesus prayed for those who were actively causing Him harm. Likewise, we are called to pray for those who hurt us. Like trees that release their fragrance when cut, we should respond to injury with love and forgiveness, following the example of our Savior.