THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING

THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING by Shawn Brix
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 22:43

“They do not know what they are doing.”

Who was Jesus referring to when he spoke these words from the cross? Was he talking about the soldiers who had just driven spikes through his hands and feet and were now rolling dice for his clothes?

Or could Jesus have been referring to people who were walking by, mocking and insulting him?

Or was it possible that he was speaking of his own disciples? They had abandoned him in his hour of deepest need!

Or maybe Jesus was thinking of the religious leaders, whose scheming had led to his sentencing. Or of Pilate, who gave in to the demands of the angry crowd even though he knew Jesus was innocent.

The list of possible suspects is long. Where do we stop when we think of who Jesus had in mind when he said these words?

Could we go so far as to say that he was referring to you and me?

The Bible teaches that Jesus’ statement includes all who “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This includes you and me, but that is not a bad thing! This is because Jesus’ plea was not one of condemnation. It was a plea of forgiveness. Thankfully, this plea wasn’t specific to any one person or group of people. It was about forgiveness “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Praise be to God!

PRAYER: O God, thank you that Jesus’ plea from the cross covers me and all my sins. I am overwhelmed by the forgiveness that he offers me each day. Amen.