Father, Forgive
Scripture selection: Luke 23:32
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, 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.”
So the time had come.
Just as he predicted, just as they had feared, he was condemned and executed.
Just as they might have expected, one of the final things he did before breathing his last was to pray.
He could have prayed for many things:
- A miraculous escape
- An angelic army from above, sent to overthrow his enemies
- Vindication
- That his enemies suffer a fate as awful as he did – or worse
Instead, he prayed “Father, forgive.”
Again, it was just as they might have expected of this one they had followed from the early days of his ministry to now.
But many were not there to hear him pray.
They had fled themselves.
It would be awhile, a few very dark days, before He would appear to them again – this time not as crucified rabbi – but risen Lord.
For now, they would have to wait and wonder.
How dark those days must have been.
“Father, forgive.”
