The Enormous Love of Christ

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). What self sacrifice. What amazing love.

Jesus called out for forgiveness in the middle of His agony on the cross. Not His forgiveness, He, the perfect Lamb of God needed not to be forgiven for anything. It was for our sin that He called out (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Our Great Intercessor, the One who bore the sins of all mankind, here He was hanging on a cross and what did He say? Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. It is such a huge statement that I believe it needs repeated to try and grasp the magnitude of the words.

There was blood pouring out from His hands, His head, and His beard. The Bible says His face was unrecognizable (Isaiah 52:14). In all of that human pain one would understand if He would have been bitter or even angry at the extreme unfairness of the whole situation. The fact is He was unjustly beaten, for absolutely no cause of His own. It was for our sin. Every bad thing we have ever thought, said or done. Every bad thing  is what nailed our Savior to the cross. He was willing to pay the price for our sin. Wow what sacrifice, what extreme love… what tender and compassionate love for humanity. What an awesome God we serve!

He never once blamed us, never once lifted His voice in angry bitterness. He knew no wrong. He did no wrong.

It hurts my heart to think of His cruel crucifixion. The blood that ran down His face. Oh, how He must have wanted to wipe it away. I imagine that blood running down His face. He must’ve tasted it as He said Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

The thought of my sins nailing Him there is very sobering (Colossians 2:14). That is why I want to do the right things for the right reasons. I want His perfect will to be done in my life. I know I have a long way to go but I am going to get there with Jesus by my side. I am going to love as He wants me to. For now, by His power, I will think more like Him in my response to others. In the face of anger, hurt, betrayal, shame, mockery and ridicule (to name a few) by others…what if our prayer is Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

In Jesus’ name,

Your sister in Christ

Donna

Pray with me please

Father God,

I have no words. As tears fill my eyes, I just want to say thank You for the love that You have shown on the cross. I love You. Help me to forgive as You have shown us to forgive. Here I am, send me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you do not know Jesus but would like to know more about Him, please read the following blog titled, You Never Let Us Go. God bless. https://thefathersfeet.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/you-never-let-us-go/

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