Even while being nailed to the cross and then hanging there until his death, Jesus was still merciful. He was still loving. Even toward those who were his executioners, he was kind, praying to the Father for them. He wished them no harm. He desired their redemption…
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:26, 32-38, 44-45 NIV
They finally got their wish. Those who arrested and tried Jesus, handing him over to the Romans as guilty, finally received the decision they sought. Jesus was crucified.
Even in this moment, though, Jesus was still Jesus. He was purposeful. He was merciful. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus wanted for his executioners to be forgiven. He wanted his own spirit to be committed over to the Father in heaven. He would not be goaded by the taunts. He would stay on mission.
I am intrigued by his statement that the Roman soldiers ought to be forgiven. They were not innocent. They were not the decision-makers, nor were they betrayers of the Messiah. They were still, however, servants of the empire. They were not servants of God.
They did not follow Jesus or believe in him. And still he asked his Father to forgive them. They didn’t know what they were doing. That was Jesus’ reason. The mercy of Jesus shone over that place during one of the darkest times ever.
This is our God. This is our Messiah. Thank you Jesus.
Amen.
Marc Kinna
marckinna 