In the darkest moments of human history, a beacon of hope and forgiveness shone brightly from an unlikely place—a Roman cross. As we approach Easter, it’s fitting to reflect on the profound words spoken by Jesus during His crucifixion, particularly His first utterance: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
These words, spoken in the midst of unimaginable suffering, reveal the very heart of Jesus’ mission on Earth. He came not for the righteous, but for sinners. His entire life was a testament to forgiveness, and even in His final hours, He exemplified this transformative power.
The Roman crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals, terrorists, and enemies of the state. Historical records show that those subjected to this brutal execution typically died cursing and filled with hatred. Yet, Jesus defied this norm. In His agony, He chose to pray for forgiveness rather than seek vengeance.
This act of forgiveness wasn’t just a noble gesture; it was a continuation of Jesus’ life’s work. Throughout His ministry, we see numerous instances of Him extending forgiveness—to the woman caught in adultery, to the paralyzed man, and to countless others who approached Him with repentant hearts.
But how can we, as imperfect humans, hope to embody this level of forgiveness in our own lives?
The three key insights:
- Live a Life of Prayer
Jesus’ ability to forgive stemmed from His deep, unshakable trust in God the Father. Even in His darkest hour, when it seemed God had abandoned Him to suffer, Jesus still addressed God as “Father.” This trust was cultivated through a lifetime of prayer and communion with God.
For us to forgive like Jesus, we must develop this same level of trust. It’s only through consistent prayer that we can build a relationship with God strong enough to withstand the storms of betrayal, hurt, and injustice. When we pray, we align our hearts with God’s will, making forgiveness possible even when our emotions aren’t ready.
- Learn Forgiveness from Jesus
The Gospel accounts show us that Jesus didn’t just preach forgiveness; He lived it. On the cross, He didn’t offer forgiveness once, but repeatedly. The original Greek text suggests that Jesus continually prayed, “Father, forgive them,” as each nail was driven into His body.
This teaches us that forgiveness isn’t always a one-time event. Sometimes, it’s a process that requires persistent prayer and a commitment to obey God’s will, even when it hurts. Jesus demonstrated this in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed until His sweat turned to blood, ultimately submitting to God’s plan despite His own anguish.
- Accept the Spiritual Ignorance of Others
When Jesus prayed for forgiveness, He added a crucial qualifier: “for they know not what they do.” This wasn’t naivety on Jesus’ part. He understood that those crucifying Him were aware of their actions on a physical level. However, He recognized their spiritual blindness––they didn’t truly understand who He was or the cosmic significance of their actions.
This prayer of Jesus extends to all of us. How often do we, in our spiritual ignorance, wound others or reject God without fully comprehending the consequences of our actions? Jesus’ prayer delays God’s judgment, offering us time for repentance and reconciliation.
As we interact with others, especially those who hurt us, we must remember this spiritual dimension. People’s cruel words or actions often stem from a lack of understanding about God’s love and their own worth in His eyes. By recognizing this, we can extend forgiveness more readily, just as Christ did for us.
The Power of Unconditional Forgiveness
What’s truly remarkable about Jesus’ forgiveness is its unconditional nature. He didn’t say, “Father, forgive them if they figure out who I am.” He offered forgiveness freely, even to those who seemed least deserving—Pilate, who sentenced Him to death; Judas, who sold Him; Peter, who denied Him; and the crowds who days earlier had welcomed Him with palm branches but now called for His crucifixion.
This unconditional forgiveness had immediate and far-reaching effects. After Jesus’ resurrection, when Peter preached the gospel, 3,000 people repented and turned to God. Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness on the cross paved the way for this mass salvation and continues to impact lives today.
Applying These Lessons in Our Lives
As we reflect on Jesus’ words from the cross, we’re challenged to examine our own hearts. How quick are we to forgive those who wrong us? Do we make excuses, waiting for our emotions to align before we extend forgiveness? Or do we, like Jesus, choose to forgive even when it’s difficult?
Cultivating a forgiving heart requires intentional effort:
- Develop a consistent prayer life to build trust in God.
- Study and meditate on Jesus’ examples of forgiveness in Scripture.
- Practice empathy by considering the spiritual state of those who hurt you.
- Choose to forgive, even when your emotions aren’t ready.
- Remember the unconditional forgiveness you’ve received from Christ.
The path of forgiveness isn’t easy. It often feels counter-intuitive and may even seem unjust. But as we align our hearts with God’s through prayer and obedience, we’ll find the strength to forgive as Jesus did.
This Easter season, let’s challenge ourselves to be people of forgiveness. In a world often driven by revenge and retribution, we can stand out as beacons of God’s love and grace. By embodying the forgiving spirit of Christ, we not only free ourselves from the burden of resentment but also open doors for others to experience the transformative power of God’s forgiveness.
As we go forth, may we carry the words of Jesus with us: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In doing so, we participate in the ongoing work of reconciliation that Christ began on the cross, bringing hope and healing to a broken world.
Rev. Joshua Ryu