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Father, forgive them
Imagine for a moment the shocking scene on Calvary, where crucifixion was carried out as an extremely painful death penalty. This was considered the most cruel and degrading form of execution ever devised and was reserved for the most despised slaves and the worst criminals. Why? It was carried out as a deterrent example of rebellion and resistance against Roman rule. The victims, naked and tormented by unbearable pain, often directed their helpless desperation in the form of curses and insults to the surrounding spectators. The soldiers and spectators present heard only words of forgiveness from Jesus: “But Jesus said, Father, forgive them; because they don’t know what they’re doing!” (Luke 23,34). Jesus' requests for forgiveness are extremely remarkable for three reasons.
First, despite everything he went through, Jesus still spoke of his Father. It is an expression of deep, loving trust, reminiscent of Job's words: “Behold, even though he kill me, I wait for him; "Indeed, I will answer my ways before him" (Job 13,15).
Second, Jesus did not ask forgiveness for himself because he was free from sin and went to the cross as the spotless Lamb of God to save us from our sinful ways: "For you know that you do not save with corruptible silver or gold from your vain conduct, according to the manner of your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as an innocent and undefiled lamb" (1. Petrus 1,18-19). He stood up for those who condemned him to death and crucified him, and for all of humanity.
Third, the prayer that Jesus said according to the Gospel of Luke was not a one-time utterance. The original Greek text suggests that Jesus uttered these words repeatedly - a continued expression of his compassion and willingness to forgive, even in the darkest hours of his ordeal.
Let us imagine how often Jesus may have called out to God in his deepest need. He reached the place known as the Skull Site. Roman soldiers nailed his wrists to the wood of the cross. The cross was erected and he hung between heaven and earth. Surrounded by a jeering and cursing crowd, he had to watch as the soldiers distributed his clothes among themselves and played dice for his seamless robe.
In the depths of our hearts we know the gravity of our sins and the gulf that separates us from God. Through Jesus' limitless sacrifice on the cross, a path of forgiveness and reconciliation was opened to us: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, he extends his grace to those who fear him. As far as the morning is from the evening, he removes our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103,11-12).
Let us accept with gratitude and joy this wonderful forgiveness given to us through Jesus' sacrifice. He paid the ultimate price, not only to cleanse us from our sins, but also to bring us into a vibrant and loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are no longer strangers or enemies of God, but rather his beloved children with whom he is reconciled.
Just as we were granted forgiveness through Jesus' immeasurable love, we are called to be a reflection of this love and forgiveness in our interactions with our fellow human beings. It is this attitude of Jesus that guides and inspires us to go through life with open arms and hearts, ready to understand and forgive.
by Barry Robinson
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