Father Forgive Them

As we reflect upon the passion of Christ and celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, I am reminded of the gracious act of Jesus in forgiving his enemies while on the cross. In doing so- Jesus demonstrated not only grace but great power.

And after having been betrayed, denied, lied upon, beaten, scourged, spat upon, mocked, blasphemed and made to carry a rugged cross, he was then nailed to a cross to die between two thieves. And while they parted his raiment and cast lost, we see the power of forgiveness when Jesus uttered these words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do . . .” (Luke 23:34)

It is important to know that the forgiveness of Christ extended beyond the soldiers at the cross, beyond Pontius Pilate, beyond his disciples who left him, and beyond the multitude who shouted crucify him. It extends to you and me.
Jesus could have had a legion of angels to rescue him but he choose to be a sacrificial lamb.

No longer could His hands minister to the sick, for they were nailed to a tree. No longer could His feet walk to preach the gospel, for they were fastened to the wood. No longer could He instruct His disciples, for they had forsaken Him and fled. But one thing He could do, and did — He prays!

Five Reasons Jesus Forgave his enemies
Here are five reasons why Jesus forgave his enemies. First, Jesus taught forgiveness: He was carrying out what he taught when he outlined in the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:11 –“Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

Second, Jesus was merciful beyond measure. This is confirmed in Matthew 9:13 which says “but go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Third, Jesus was the example in the area of forgiveness: While Jesus did not need forgiveness because he never sinned. Nevertheless Jesus is still our example. Matthew 6:14 says “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you.”

Fourth, Jesus has power to forgive sins. Matthew 9:6 “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”

Finally, the fifth reason Jesus forgave them was because it was a forgivable sin: Despite this horrific act, it was a forgivable sin. Jesus said in Mark 3:28 “Verily I say unto you, all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith so ever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.”

Therefore, because our Lord is gracious in mercy, he continues to forgive us of our sins. But we must ask for his forgiveness as I John 1:9 states “ if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. No matter how bad we fall; God will forgive us. Even as David said in Psalms 51, “create in me a clean heart oh Lord and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence and take not your holy spirit from me.”

A Forgiving Heart
Not only must we seek forgiveness, but we must forgive others. Some situations are very difficult to forgive: Personal hurts such as brutality, betrayal, being lied on, and criminal acts. But we need a heart that forgives. The first step is to acknowledge the hurt. The second step is to surrender the will to get even. And finally, we must forgive as the third step in the process.

Indeed we need a heart that forgives. I’m not suggesting that you should become a floor mat and allow people to walk all over you. Neither am I recommending that there should not be consequences to the wrongdoing. In fact the words of the Bible are true in Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.”

Nevertheless, we ought to be like Jesus and exercise forgiveness. Very often in life after a terrible harm has been done, we can not move on with our lives because we will not forgive. Sometimes we hold onto the bitterness of un forgiveness like it’s a member of our family. But don’t allow the thing that hurt you to have a double negative on your life. The first negative was the hurt you experienced from the wrong. The second negative is the bitterness and malice you allowed to develop as a result of un forgiveness

Role Models of Forgiveness
So as I prepare to bring this writing to a close, I am reminded of the countless examples in the scripture that demonstrate forgiveness: Esau forgave Jacob and embraced him despite being robbed of his birthright (Genesis 33). Consider how Joseph forgave his brothers and eventually saved their lives, despite being robbed of his coat of many colors, thrown in a pit and sold into slavery and later imprisoned (Genesis 45, 50).

Another shining example of forgiveness is seen in how Moses forgave Miriam and Aaron after Miriam complained about Moses and criticized his leadership. Even after God gave Miriam leprosy because of her acts, Moses not only forgave her but pleaded to God to heal her of her leprosy (Numbers 12). Let’s not forget how David forgave King Saul after Saul attempted three times to kill David. David had opportunities to kill Saul but instead spared his life. David would later honor Saul in his death (I Samuel 24-26, II Samuel 1)

Even in the church among fellow Christians, we must show forgiveness. The same way the disciples forgave Saul of Tarsus who formerly persecuted the Saints of God and was active in the stoning of Stephen. But Barnabus brought him unto the disciples who accepted him. And of course the ultimate act of forgiveness was displayed in Christ death on the Cross. There is power in forgiveness.