Saying #1: Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do (Luke 23:34)
2022-05-11
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
The Lord stated this immediately after they crucified Him. Imagine the excruciating pain He had been put through to this point. He had many opportunities to curse them all, or call legions of angels, or say the word, and they would all die. This is Christian forgiveness. This is the model that we follow. Our sin put Him there; this cry to the Father to forgive those men is a cry for our forgiveness as well.
As Jesus said this, some of His few possessions, His clothing, is being divided among the murders. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy, mentioned in all four Gospels: “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Psalm 22:18). They did not want to tear the coat, so they cast lots so someone could have it. The Lord knew this and forgave them anyway. To forgive like God is to forgive like this.