Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing

Luke 23:32-38

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ 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. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

As Jesus is being led to a horrific death on the cross, we read that He said out loud (to God), “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

This is such a well-known phrase and I’ve always thought of it as Jesus just being very gracious and kind to extend forgiveness to the people who were about to torture and kill Him. Which, of course, is an amazing thing for Him to do under those circumstances!

But as I looked at it again today, a new thought occurred to me. Jesus did not say “Father, forgive them even though they know what they are doing is very evil”. He tells us in that moment the people taking part in His crucifixion did not know what they are doing.

Now to my way of thinking, how could they not have known what they were doing? Even if they didn’t know that He was the Son of God, it still seems obvious to me that they were knowingly bringing an innocent man to a gruesome death.

And yet Jesus, who is all-knowing and always completely truthful, gives us a perspective on these people’s behaviour that we cannot otherwise know.  Only God sees the heart behind someone’s behaviour and therefore only He can truly judge.

How many times have I looked at certain behaviours in other people and attributed guilt and judgement without knowing what’s in their hearts? It’s so easy to do and yet so misguided.

This is a powerful reminder to me today that God is the only one with the right to judge others. How amazing that through His mercy and grace He is so willing to forgive.

Father, forgive me for my judgmental thoughts and words. Help me to be gracious and merciful like You are, and to leave the judgement of others in Your capable hands.

Written by Shelley Witt