Father, Forgive Them

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." (Luke 23:34)

Meditating upon this verse and understanding why Jesus Christ said this, it has indeed added and deepen my knowledge, more of what we Christians ought to be and do. This verse indeed has been many times used by preachers and teachers. Surely, if we are Christians, this verse is very familiar.

Within this verse we understand that Jesus Christ is our mediator or our intercessor.... He intercedes for man, esp. us Christians who is His own. He is the Mediator between God and man. John 14:6 says "Jesus IS the way, the truth, and the life; NO MAN comes to the Father, BUT BY ME". There is no one else, no other roads that leads to God but Christ. 

With this verse, we also understand that when the Lord Jesus Christ mediates or intercedes for us, God the Father answers His prayer... And that God forgives! As we know, when God forgives, He no longer remembers it nor will it ever be used for bribery or something. Our sin is totally annihilated erased in His mind when God forgives.

But this verse is totally unusual for the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ prayed or interceded not for His people... but for those who have wronged Him... Those who accused Him falsely, mocked and spit upon Him, beat Him, whipped and lashed Him until His flesh are cut, pierced His hand and feet; Those who crucified Him. He interceded for them! But why?

First off, as bible scholars would say, it is the fulfilment of the prophecy written in Isaiah 53:12... "... and made intercession for the transgressors." That is the reason why. But I don't think it's just that! I mean literally praying for those who crucified Him only. I believe there is something we need to understand. You see a question came to my mind, "What if Jesus did not intercede for them?" Of course He wouldn't be able to fulfil this prophecy in Isaiah. And it would be possible that those who crucified Him might be all dead in just an instant (like that of Ananaias and Sapphira). But much more than that, is that we might not have, what we call "Salvation." If I am to understand, all man-kind's sin is actually the reason why Jesus was crucified. We are part of those who crucified Him on the cross, because of our sin! And we are also one of those transgressors of whom Jesus is interceding before God the Father. Therefore I believe, the moment a sinner or an unbelieving soul repents and confesses to the Lord Jesus Christ, then the Lord intercedes for him before the Father, by which forgiveness is given.

Now that we understand Jesus is our intercessor before the Father, now what? or what then? I mean, what does this principle teach us or make a realization for us? or what or how then should we respond? what effect is this to us? Surely, number one should be thankfulness! We will be very much thankful to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ! Much more these words will follow... Worship, Magnify, Priase, Adore, Honor and Glorify... All pertaining to the One Worthy of it.

But there is another one we should take note of... A response that the Lord Jesus Christ has been teaching as well, giving commandment to it that we ought to obey. And this response we often neglect or even always fail to fulfil. That is, on how then do we respond to others, especially to those who have wronged us, our enemies to be exact. You see more than our praise and adoration to the One worthy, what Jesus Christ did was also a call for us who believe on Him to do the same.

Do you not remember Jesus said "Love your enemies"? Do you not remember Him saying, "Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them. If one slaps you on the right, give him your left. If they throw a stone at you, give them bread."? These were His commandments and He did not only gave this commandment but set Himself as the greatest example of all. He did what He said... He lived in His life what He taught. Now the challenge is left to us. How about us? Can we not obey our Lord's commandments? Are these words nothing more but show off? I don't think so... If these words were nothing more than words, and has no meaning, a design just to make things unique in the Bible, then those words would become nothing more but LIES... and there would be no Truth in it. And if it is a lie, then the Lord Jesus Christ would be a liar. BUT NOT! He is not a liar. 

Oh how often... how is it that we fall and fail in obeying this commandment. When someone have wronged us, we tend to make ALL things about that person so negative including all things connected to that person; We do not want to be acquainted. And we shut the door!... But can we not remember, that WE WERE GOD'S ENEMIES.... We wronged the Lord Jesus Christ so often, and yet HE LAID HIS LIFE FOR US, even interceded for us before the Father so that we could gain mercy in God's sight. Why indeed do we fail to do like as unto our Lord and Master Jesus Christ? We become nothing more like the one servant Jesus Christ talked about. The servant whom his master have forgiven of his debt and yet the servant wouldn't forgive the one who also is indebted to him.

Now here is another verse we ought to read and understand. 

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45)

Take note of the last verse, it says "...That ye may be the children of your Father." You see, doing what the Lord Jesus Christ asked us to do is actually an evidence we are His children, God's children. And if we do not, what then are we?

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"Jesus Christ died for you, won't you die for others too?" -- r.e.c.