“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Even at the time of His death Jesus was forgiving, offering grace, asking for God’s mercy, and bringing salvation. That was the thrust of His earthly ministry, found in the climax of His death and resurrection. And He was right. Much of the time we do not know what we are doing. We unintentionally harm others by what we say and what we don’t say, by what we do and what we don’t do. We are often so spiritually dull we don’t even notice the harm we do to others or the sin that has ensnared us. But then there are other times when we certainly know what we are doing. Sometimes our actions, words, and even sins are indeed intentional. We are calculated in our harming of others. But we continue to hear those words, “Father, forgive them. . .”
In this message we will be examining these life-giving, salvation-bringing last words of Jesus on this special confirmation Sunday.
