2014 Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Father, Forgive Them" Sunday, 9 March 2014 - Read Luke 23: 32-38.

2014 Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Father, Forgive Them" Sunday, 9 March 2014 - Read Luke 23:32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. 35 The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
TEXT: And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (see Luke 23:34).
In agony Jesus looks upon the Roman soldiers who savagely flogged Him, crowned Him with thorns, spat upon Him, and mocked Him as King. They don't realize they nailed their God and Creator to the cross.
He looks at the Jewish crowds that had hailed Him as the Messiah when He entered Jerusalem on Sunday. Now, passing by on their way into the city, they deride Him as a fraud and fake. They have no idea they are mocking God's only Son, their Promised Savior and King.
He looks at the Jewish leaders who vehemently opposed Him throughout His ministry, who dogged His steps, twisting and distorting His teachings. They condemned Him to death, and then pressured the Roman governor to crucify Him. They do not know they have driven their High Priest to His death. He looks upon the criminals hanging at His side, railing at Him out of their pain and anger. At first, neither of them is aware they are spurning the innocent Son of God, their King.
He looks at you and me, who quickly forget the price He paid for our sins and repeatedly offend Him by our thoughts and desires, and harm our neighbor by our words and deeds.
He thinks of all we deserve for what we have done. Yet, rather than seek revenge, Jesus prays, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." What prayer was ever so gracious-or so difficult to ask? For Jesus knows there is only one way His holy Father can turn His fiery wrath away from us-and that is by unleashing it on Him.
THE PRAYER: Jesus, my Savior, You have every right to lash out at me for my sins. Thank You for taking my guilt on Yourself and suffering and dying in my place. Amen.
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