Father Forgive Them For They Do Not Know What They Do

 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” - Luke 23:34.

            The first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness. Jesus prayed for those who sinned against Him. Instead of praying for Himself on the cross, He prayed for others. And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors - Isaiah 53:12. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you - Matthew 5:44.

        When asked by Peter how many times should we forgive someone, Jesus answered seventy times seven(Matthew 18:21-22). Love your neighbor as yourself - Mark 12:31. God who is merciful had forgiven all our sins and we are made alive with Him.  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses - Colossians 2:13. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more - Hebrews 8:12.

               Let us forgive those who have hurt us. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions - Matthew 6:14, 15. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you - Ephesians 4:32. Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do - Colossians 3:13.                                                

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to forgive others just as You have forgiven. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.