Forgive them...

Over the next couple of weeks I want to look at the last words Jesus spoke while on the cross. The first is found in Luke...

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:33-34)

In the last 15 hours Jesus had faced betrayal by a friend, agony in the Garden, being deserted by all of the disciples, three trial in front of the religious leaders of Israel, being denied by Peter, three trials in front of Rome, several beatings, insults and mockery from those he loved and finally he was chosen to be crucified in the place of Barabbas. He then had to walk the path to Golgotha and be nailed to the cross. We can't even begin to imagine all of the pain and agony he felt.

I get bent out of shape if someone says one thing about me that is not true. I get upset if a friend turns against me. I have never had to face any real physical pain that comes close to what Jesus endured-yet I know if I ever had to, I would not deal with it well at all. I don't know about you, but whenever I face tough times my focus gets placed on me and I rarely think of others.

Yet in the middle of all that he was going through-Jesus was thinking and focused on others. His first words from the cross were "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

Forgiveness is why Jesus went to the cross and forgiveness was on his heart as he hung there. All of this tells us there is no sin too great, no action so harsh that the grace of God can't reach us and forgive us and give us a new start.

I find great encouragement and hope from these words. I believe that you can regardless of your story. And just maybe, we can also forgive those who had hurt as just as Jesus did. Waht do you think? I'd love to hear from you...