Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes, by throwing dice. (Luke 23:34)
The cross means forgiveness! While he was being ridiculed and abused, tormented and tortured, his words were “forgive them.”
While he was being taunted and challenged to prove he was the Messiah—his words were, “forgive them”.
He made it clear to his Father in prayer, regarding those speaking against him, that “they don’t know what they are doing.”
In other words, “Please don’t hold it against them; they don’t know what they are doing.” This of course is the opposite from, “Strike them with fire while they are standing there tormenting your One and Only! Show them who’s boss!”
But he didn’t, and that’s because he had the Long View. The Long View was that this was necessary and must be done for the sake of the people of God. If he had operated in unforgiveness, there would be no way those people would find life ahead.
So, this cry-out from the cross is another demonstration of the truth that while he was going through the worst agony anyone could imagine, he was thinking of others. And isn’t that the essence of forgiveness—thinking of the good of others? If you operate in unforgiveness, you are thinking of imagined good for you, that you will keep the upper hand, and you will “show them!”
But forgiveness thinks of the other party, and takes appropriate action. And in the midst of all the chaos that was the cross, Jesus was demonstrating forgiveness. He was constantly thinking of others:
“Father, forgive them.”
“Woman, behold your son.”
“Son, behold your mother.”
His focus was on others. Even when the pain, cruelty, retaliation, and embarrassment was on Him. He was able to focus on others because He was fixated on His Father and the plan He had for Him.
“Father, we are convicted again during this Lenten season to practice forgiveness without reservation.”
Copyright 2019, Freddy Boswell. From the book, Torn Curtain.
Freddy Boswell 