Forgiveness is Rooted in the Salvation Plan of God
Luke 23:34 (NIV)
“…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…” – Luke 23:34 (NIV)
When I first read the aforementioned Scripture, I understood the part when Jesus our Lord and Saviour said, “Father forgive them,” but I questioned the other part of His statement, “for they know not what they are doing.” To my mind, His persecutors (those who bore false witness against Him in a mock trial, scourged His body with thirty-nine stripes of the flagellum whip, spat on Him, mocked Him, scoffed at Him, jeered Him, chose the freedom of an insurrectionist in exchange for His death, and rammed a crown of thorns around His head) knew very well what they were doing. However, prior to His crucifixion, Jesus referred to the Jewish leaders who instigated His death on the cross as “blind guides” (Matthew 15:14). After studying the concept of a blind guide; it is evident that they did not know what they were doing.
Jesus, during His evangelistic journey, told His disciples to leave the Pharisees alone (Matthew 15:14). In other words, the disciples were to refrain from debating with them, correcting them, or worrying about them, as was reiterated in Titus 3:9-11. Blind guides in Hebrew culture were used to indicate that persons neither possess a lack of understanding about what is true nor have no understanding of where they are leading (God’s) people (Matthew 23:16-17). These Jewish leaders focused on wooden, legalistic, religious performances in a way that ultimately served their own pride, power, and glory.
Amazingly, while on that cruel cross, Jesus asked for forgiveness for these same leaders, those who were actually responsible for crucifying Him, i.e., Pilate, the Roman soldiers, the Jewish leaders, the mockers and scoffers who were jeering at Him, and everyone else who stood by. He had a purpose. His asking for forgiveness is also for the world of sinners: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” – Romans 3:23-24 (NIV).
Remember, it was and still is satan’s desire to see mankind die and go to a lost eternity, but God had a salvation plan of love, redemption, and reconciliation for all sinners (John 3:16). He has forgiven our sins. If you are a sinner in need of a Saviour, please repeat this prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I accept Your Son Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins on the cross of Calvary, for which I now repent. Cleanse me now from every sin and evil habit. Help me to live for you only; in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen”!
Read: Psalm 86:5; Luke 6:37
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 10:1-10; Luke 18:31-43; Luke 19:1-10; Deuteronomy 29; Deuteronomy 30:1-10
