SCRIPTURE: And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:33-34 ESV
THOUGHT: Matthew Henry in his 1708 commentary on Luke 23:34 observed: “One reason why [Jesus] died the death of the cross was that he might have liberty of speech to the last, and so might glorify his Father and edify those about him.”
I have to admit, that is not something I’ve ever thought of as I studied this passage, but it is an interesting reflection for us as Christians in a culture suddenly hostile to free speech. The truth about free speech is that everyone has it, but to use it, you must care more about truth than consequences.
To Jesus, the truth was getting to the cross to do his final and greatest work. Greater than calming seas, walking on water, multiplying fish and bread to feed thousands of people, or turning water into wine for a very human celebration. Greater than the miracle of restoring sight to the blind, legs to the lame, flesh to lepers, or even life to several dead bodies, including his own! The greatest miracle to Jesus, the mission that drove his life to the end, was to shed his blood for the forgiveness of sin. To make peace between us and his Father…our Father.
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” covers a lot of ground. From the beginning of time to its end, no one who rejects the gift of God’s forgiveness knows what they are doing.
PRAYER: Jesus – just as the thief on the cross beside you said when he heard the truth about forgiveness from your lips – remember me when you come into your kingdom. Thank you for the liberty you’ve given and the example you’ve set of caring more about glorifying God and edifying others than the consequences to yourself of doing so.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
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