Father, forgive them...

Please note, today's video features the author's voice and a transcript of the devotional. You an also press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Luke 23:26-34 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ Luke 23:34

If you don’t know who MrBeast is, have you even got electricity? He’s the most subscribed YouTuber with 340,000,000 followers. Recently he premiered Beast Games on Amazon Prime. 1,000 players competed for $5,000,000. In one round players were divided into four groups, had to decide on a captain, who were then offered $1,000,000 to eliminate their entire team.

How would you feel if your captain had eliminated you? Ruining your chance to win life-changing amounts of money for their selfish gain. I cannot imagine any of us would be quick to pray as Jesus does, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

There appears something odd when Jesus prays that prayer. He prays for forgiveness because they do not know what they are doing. However, these soldiers did know what they were doing. They were carrying out orders to execute Jesus. So, why does Jesus qualify their forgiveness because they do not know?

Perhaps the mystery is solved by what happens next. “And they cast lots to divide his clothing.” This quote is from Psalm 22, a Psalm attributed to the words of Jesus as far back as the First Century. In this psalm Jesus cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Words he repeats on the Cross. These soldiers were oblivious that they sacrificed Jesus so that through His forsakenness, forgiveness was possible.

We too are oblivious, committing sins, sending Jesus to the Cross. As Stuart Townend penned, “It was my sin that held Him there.” This sentiment, while true, is not entirely accurate – sin cannot overcome Jesus. Love held Him there. Love for sinners like us, who crucified Jesus.

Wonderfully, that’s why we can pray, “Father, forgive them,” when we are sinned against. Forgiveness comes from the deep awareness of our sin which held Jesus there, and the loving forgiveness he offers us. It is his love which drives our yearning to pray prayers of forgiveness, knowing they like us are a sinner in need of Christ’s love.

The Revd Lloyd Etheridge, Assistant Curate, St Andrew’s, Leyland.