Last Words Day 1: The Utterance of Forgiveness

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

Luke 23:34

No matter how many times we may read these words, it is difficult not to find them both convicting and shocking. In Jesus’ moment of ultimate suffering, His first thought was not of Himself, but of the people crucifying Him. He looked past their cruelty, their ignorance, and their sin to offer a prayer of radical forgiveness. How could that be?

Jesus saw others through the eyes of compassion. While we humans may see only how others’ sins or actions affect us, Jesus saw how others’ sins and actions affected them as well. He recognized their lost state and understood their true need: shepherding, forgiveness, a relationship with God.

Looking at earlier days in Jesus’ ministry, consider His reaction in Matthew 9:36, when He saw the raucous and needy crowd pressing toward Him: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (NIV)

Likewise, as He hung on the cross, Jesus saw the true need of the Roman soldiers crucifying Him. They needed forgiveness. They were unaware of the profoundly evil act they were carrying out.

Yet there are times when those who hurt us seem to know exactly what they are doing. Their actions may be conceived in malice and evil intent. Did the soldiers who crucified Jesus really have no idea that they were executing an innocent man? Assuming they indeed had an inkling of their vile actions, it is even more remarkable that Jesus chose to pray for them.

Jesus’ response sets the ultimate model for us. He demonstrated compassion and forgiveness in the face of unthinkable sin, and in doing so He revealed His Father’s heart. Jesus’ prayer for the soldiers may not have made them right with God, but it showed Jesus’ own righteousness and released the potential weight of rage and resentment from His own shoulders.

Unresolved bitterness is a weight that chains our hearts and blocks us from the peace God intends for us. We can often carry unforgiveness as a burden tied to our back, pulling us downward and further away from our Lord. Forgiveness frees us. It takes the power away from those who hurt us, and reminds us that, through Jesus, we hold the power to move forward…the power to let go. Forgiveness softens our hearts. Forgiveness stirs compassion in our souls. Forgiveness makes us more like our Savior.

For Reflection

This week, consider the heavy things you are still carrying. Is there a relationship strained by an old wound? A self-criticism that you keep replaying? (Yes, sometimes the person we need to forgive is ourself!) Jesus’ prayer on the cross sets you free to release it. He asks the Father to forgive those who hurt Him, demonstrating that forgiveness is an act of release—a choice made from a position of gratitude for God’s grace, not a feeling earned by the offender. As Jesus’ example reminds us, real peace begins the moment we lay down the right to hold on to bitterness.

Choose today to recognize and release any bitterness you are holding on to. Name it. Ask the Father for the power and perspective to let it go.