“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’” (Luke 23:34)
Um, what is forgiveness? It’s not that difficult. That things are OK between me and the other person? The other person came to me and admitted his mistake and apologized. Well, I just forgave him. In a way, at least.
That’s how it can work, but what if the other person doesn’t come? Are you left with the pieces forever? By the way, apologizing seems very nice. But in fact it’s very different from asking for forgiveness. The latter is a question to which you can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. But if you say ‘I’m sorry’, the other person thinks it’s over for you.
What does it really mean?
We see the purest form of forgiveness in Jesus on the cross. Imagine: He allowed Himself to be crucified for you and me. He is stripped naked. Hanging in shame. The soldiers play a game of sharing Jesus’ clothing. And then Jesus prays: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. Think about that for a moment. Do you see how incredible it is what is happening here? In this situation of pain, ridicule, shame, grief, Jesus thinks of forgiving without even being asked, without these soldiers showing any sign of guilt.
Jesus is giving an example of what forgiveness is. How beautiful and amazing do you think that is? Is it too difficult and ambitious for you? After all, He was God…