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 that Jesus spoke from the cross is the word of forgiveness. Jesus prayed for His enemies like how He had taught in the Sermon on the mount. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you - Matthew 5:44. By making the intercession for transgressors on the cross, He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy: “He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).  

            God will forgive us only when we forgive others. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us - Matthew 6:12. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you - Matthew 6:14. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins - Matthew 5:15. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses - Mark 11:26. 

          Let us forgive others just as Christ forgave us. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you - Ephesians 4:31-32. 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 forgave us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.