“Two others that were criminals were led away to be put to death with Him. 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 23:32-34
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” – Philippians 2:3-5
It had been quite a week for Jesus. He had entered Jerusalem to the cheers of people that saw Him as a Messiah, but by Thursday night they had all but abandoned Him. He had been betrayed by one of His inner circle, denied by a close friend, rushed through a sham of a trial…mocked…beaten…now, crucified.
The Scripture tells us that once He was nailed to the cross He was lifted up and the wait for death began. The pain was severe but rather than screams of anguish, Jesus speaks a brief prayer. A prayer? It seems a little odd for someone to pray. Yet, maybe that would make sense to hear a dying man cry out to God if he cried out for help, “God, get me out of this!” “God, take this pain away!” It also would not be out of the ordinary to hear a prayer of condemnation upon the ones responsible for inflicting this cruel punishment upon you, “God, curse these inhuman Romans!” “O God, give them what they deserve!” We actually might even hear a prayer of confession and repentance, “O God, I messed up. Forgive me!”
Yes, any of these prayers might be heard at the foot of a cross, but…the prayer of Jesus was not any of these. It was not that He prayed which was unusual. It was What He prayed…”Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Are you surprised? Do these words shock you? Or, have you heard them so many times that you have grown numb to the absurdity of such a prayer? We are told that most of the people around the cross did not even hear it, and if they did, it made no impact. The soldiers at the foot of the cross continued to gamble for His few possessions…the people watching continued mocking Him as they went on their way. Even the criminals crucified with Him seemed oblivious to this incredible word from the Savior.
However, there must have been an eerie silence in that upper room when John shared this with the disciples. “He said what?” “He asked the Father to forgive them?” Once again, Jesus turns the disciple’s world upside down. Like His parables, there is an unexpected act or attitude that reveals a God who loves beyond your wildest imagination! A God who is not what you expect but exactly what you need.
Today, as we begin to meditate on this first word from the cross, ask yourself…”What does this prayer reveal to me about the heart of God?”