Luke 23- Forgive Them

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was tempted to prove himself by providing for his physical needs and by making a public spectacle. And now he's on the cross, facing the same temptations. He's been betrayed and denied by some of his own followers. His people have falsely accused him and insisted that he be put to death. He has been made fun of and he's been physically abused. Now he's hanging on a cross and, through the physical pain, through the mental anguish, through the emotional turmoil, he hears the people's words all around him.

"He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"

"If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

"Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

How tempting it must have been to say, "To hell with these people," literally. How tempting it must have been to prove himself by making a public spectacle and saving himself. How tempting it must have been to make them see who he was and what they were doing.

But he didn't do any of those things. He didn't say, "To hell with them." Instead, he said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

I can't find the words to explain how deeply that affects me. To see that God knows people are broken and blind to the truth, and that he reacts with compassion, love, and forgiveness instead of anger is so amazing. To see that he desires a relationship and is not going to try to force us to believe is amazing. To see that he would go to such great lengths, to make the sacrifice himself and to take on the punishment we deserved, so we can be redeemed is amazing.