Bible Society of South Africa
Ds Hein Barnard

Forgiveness – Day 17

The first of 7 words that Jesus spoke on the cross before He died.

Bible text(s)

Jesus is Crucified

26The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.

27A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. 28Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem! Don't cry for me, but for yourselves and your children. 29For the days are coming when people will say, ‘How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!’ 30That will be the time when people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Hide us!’ 31For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32Two other men, both of them criminals, were also led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33When they came to the place called “The Skull”, they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing.”

They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. 35The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders jeered at him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!”

36The soldiers also mocked him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37and said, “Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!”

38Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” 42And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”

43Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

Luke 23:26-43GNBOpen in Bible reader

Forgiveness in the Gospels – 4

This prayer of Jesus emphasised that forgiveness for those who took Him to the cross was important, because they did not realise that it was part of God’s plan.  The responsibility of the religious and political leaders was not taken away, but Jesus willingly asked His Father to forgive them.  These words touched even the Gentiles – the Roman officer’s words in verse 47 speak volumes. 

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