Luke 23:34 "Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."
Jesus Christ is making a selfless prayer to the Father. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Q:- Who are these “them” for whom Jesus Christ is praying?
Soldiers: - According to John 19:23-24, the soldiers divided the clothes of Jesus Christ among themselves, but the tunic was woven from top to bottom. "Cast lots to see whose it will be." This happened so that what was said in the Scriptures might be fulfilled, “They divided my clothes among themselves and cast lots for my clothes.”
According to Matthew 27:54, “Then the centurion and those who were keeping watch with Jesus were terrified when they saw the earthquake and what had happened, and said, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
The Rebels: - According to Matthew 27:44, "In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him."
Religious Leaders:- According to Matthew 27:41-43, the religious leaders were mocking Him.
"In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. [42] “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. [43] He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them," as He was fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. "He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). From the cross, Jesus interceded for sinners.
According to Matthew 27:39, "Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads."
Thus Jesus Christ prayed to the Father for those surrounded by an unworthy group, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Even in his suffering, Jesus was concerned for the forgiveness of those who counted themselves among his enemies. This is Jesus' prayer for mercy and love.
It is important to note that Jesus' prayer, "Father, forgive them," does not mean that everyone was forgiven, unilaterally, without repentance and faith.
This means that Jesus was and is still willing to forgive them today.
The forgiveness of Jesus Christ was, in fact, the reason for His crucifixion.
The result of the prayer of Jesus Christ.
According to Luke 23:39-43, "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” [40] But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? [41] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Immediate forgiveness:-
"Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The words “Father, forgive them” reflect God’s merciful heart.
On the cross Jesus offered forgiveness to all who would ever believe in Him.
Matthew 20:28 "
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the sins we commit in our ignorance, and even for the sins we commit knowingly.
When we confess our sins, repent, and are baptized, we receive the right to become children again through the new birth.(Jn.1:12)
We, too, become the answer to Jesus' prayer "Father, forgive them."
Warning for all of us.
Hebrews 4:1-4 "Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. [2] For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. [3] Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. [4] For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”
He is coming, so let us prepared ourselves to meet Him.
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