A Cry For Pardon

This devotion goes along with a discussion we had in small group last night...so I thought I'd post it. It was written by Erwin Lutzer

And when they came to the place that is call the Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!' The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." Luke 23:33-38

When man had done his worst Jesus prayed - not for justice, but for mercy; He pleaded that His enemies would be exempt from the just consequences of their evil deeds. And He prayed not after His wounds had healed, but while they were yet open. Words of forgiveness came from His lips when the nails were being driven into His body, when the pain was the fiercest, when the jolts of anguish were the sharpest; He prayed as the cross was lowered into the hole with a thud. It was then - when His nerves were yet the most tender, when the pain was the most unfathomable - that He who was the victim of history's greatest crime prayed for the criminals.

He could forgive becase He was about His Father's business. In Gethsemane He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39 NIV).

The cup was not a satanic attack, though Satan no doubt tried to add his own ingredients into the potion. No, the cup was given to Christ by His Father. It was the task of "purchasing men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 5:9) This meant that the Son would be cruelly crucified and would become sin itself for the sake of all humanity. He would drink the cup of suffering to the dregs. This cup would purchase the forgiveness for which He now prayed.

Can we say, "Father, forgive them" when we are being crucified? Can we pray for the forgiveness of those who are trying to destroy us? Do we have enough faith to leave justice in the hands of our heavenly Father? "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'it is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord (Romans 12:19). On the Cross we see the restraint of a Man who had the power to destroy but chose instead to forgive. In Christ's words is the hope of our own deliverane. So let us come near to listen more intently to what is being said. Perhaps we shall hear our own name in the petition.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that no injustice has gone unnoticed by You. Help me to forgive when I am wronged and to trust in You alone for justice. Amen.