How Jesus Forgave Generously on the Cross
The topic of forgiveness kept my mind occupied a good bit last year.
On the genealogical chart of my family of origin reside several names of people who refused to forgive. These people sat in church every week from childhood through adulthood with a breach unrepaired. Sadly, a few in succeeding generations have made similar decisions. We watch with great sadness; our hearts hurt.
Remembering the two times Jesus spoke of forgiveness in His last hours of life, I decided to look more closely at those words. Like most of you, I have rushed past these brief snippets of conversation because I already know the story.
Father, Forgive Them
First, I saw afresh that Jesus spoke the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) at the beginning of the crucifixion as He was being stripped naked, nailed to the cross, and then hoisted into the air. Here we see Jesus forgive without being asked, without the guilty ones even aware that they had sinned; hence His words, “they know not what they do.” He modeled what He taught the disciples in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:12), when He told Peter to forgive seventy-seven times (Matt. 18:21-22), and even to His last breath.
Next, have you thought about the two men also hanging on crosses on either side of Jesus? Luke doesn’t explain, but something enlightened one guilty man to recognize Jesus’s innocence, which became a rebuke of the other: “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” The now self-aware guilty thief dared to ask, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:41-42).
“Remember me.” Such a simple request.
What Jesus Did Not Ask
What Jesus did not ask in reply stands out as if in neon letters. Jesus did not require the thief to pray the “sinner’s prayer.” He did not ask the man to confess all his sins and make restitution first.
Jesus saw a man who displayed a genuine belief in His deity. He saw a repentant heart, one that turned from the ways of sin to embrace the ways of Christ. And that was enough. Jesus forgave. There was no need to admonish the guilty man to bring additional fruits of repentance, because he had just demonstrated genuine humility.
Jesus demonstrated in one of His last acts of mercy on earth that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Jesus has charged us as His disciples to “love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Therefore, we must be careful not to withhold love and grace for a standard Jesus never expected of the thief.
May you forgive as generously as did Jesus.
Because He is risen!
In His Word
Read Luke 11:15-32. Notice how the father forgives in this story. What stands out to you today as you read?
In Your Life
1. Is there someone you need to forgive? We may find forgiveness a very difficult request from Jesus. We want to hear others apologize or ask, “Will you forgive me?” or recognize how badly we have been hurt. I have learned from watching difficult relationships that holding out for the right words is not Christ-like. Will you read the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 11:15-32) and truly pray for God to help you forgive even if you get nothing in return? Will you ask Jesus to make you more like Himself?
2. Love is the motivation for forgiveness and pleasing our Father in heaven. Remember the loving example of Christ as you venture into the land of forgiveness.
We Recommend
Our ultimate example of love and forgiveness was given by Jesus as He hung on the cross for our sins. Meditate on this beautiful poem by Barbara which captures the contrast between the pain Jesus suffered and the unfathomable grace He offered. What a Savior!
LAST WORDS
What did Jesus ask
the thief
who hurled
accusations,
pain-soaked and sharp?
What did Jesus tell
the robber
whose eyes
shot daggers
heart already cold?
What did Jesus require
his two companions
hanging
condemned
wheezing in despair’s air?
Silent One suffering
intent on completion
eyes spilling love’s call
heart
bursting for all.
Guilty one suffering
dared ask
the dying deity
bruised and beaten King:
remember me.
Jesus demanded no rite.
Grace granted
forgiveness,
belonging, to one who
perceived, and believed.
—Barbara Rainey
For further study on how Jesus loved and served even His enemies, we recommend A King Washes Feet by Jessica Claire Bond. This illustrated 40-day Bible study would be the perfect read for the upcoming season of Lent.
Let’s Connect
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