Read Luke 23:32-43 (KJV)

“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The Plea

The first word of Jesus on the cross was a plea. It was a plea to the Father.  He said, from the cross, “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

He is not excusing them.  He is not absolving them.  He is not blind to their deeds.

He is focused on His reason for being on the cross. He is doing what they needed most. Doing what they could not do for themselves.  They needed forgiveness of sin found in the shed blood of the perfect, spotless Lamb.  He willingly offers Himself and says, “This is how much the Father loves you!”   

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, ⌊then how⌋ much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him.” (Romans 5:8-11 HCSB)

As He performs this atoning sacrifice, He says, “Father forgive them…”  He is making intercession for those transgressors who have been stirred up against Him and against the God of Heaven.  They are guilty of putting Him to death.  He prays for them-Jews and the Romans.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17 HCSB)

He is not saying they are ignorant of their crime.  We can say the Romans were ignorant; they really did not know this was the Son of God.  They were merely obeying the command of their rulers.  The Jews, on the other hand, knew that Jesus was innocent of the crimes charged against Him, and if they would have but opened their wicked eyes, they would have known this man was the Messiah they had long waited to come for them.  Yet, neither group knew the extent of their guilt on this day; the effect it would have on their lives.  The calamities and judgments which were to befall them, their country was beyond their understanding.

Oh, the abundance of evidence they had to make them aware this was the Savior promised by the prophets.  This was the Messiah who had been promised.  This was their hope, their help!

“None of the rulers of this age knew ⌊this⌋ wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8 HCSB)

He prays for His enemies, even as they are presently seeking to injure Him.  They are killing Him; slowing bringing His life to an end.  Yet, He prays for them.  He is also praying that God would pardon them and give them minds to know, eyes to see, ears to hear. 

He is praying for you! He is pleading for you. He is saying, “Father forgive them…”  Through His sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary He is making it possible to bring you into fellowship with a living, heavenly Father.  His shed blood makes it possible to have forgiveness of sin and salvation found only in the Son Jesus Christ.

May you know peace with God, today!