LUKE 23: 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
This Scripture is usually preached during Passover sermons. Jesus was brutally beaten before He was crucified on the cross. Not much is known about his childhood but when He started His ministry He was threatened by many yet He helped many. When you read the depth of His persecution it is hard to comprehend how He could make prayer in Luke 23:34.
There are obviously people that Jesus prayed this prayer for,
1) the soldiers who actually beat and crucified Him,
2) Pilate whom it was in His power to release but chose otherwise.
3) The chief priests and scribes hated Jesus for driving them out of the temple where they were selling and making money, they wanted to kill Him.
4) The Pharisees and Sadducees were Jesus’ enemies from the onset of His ministry.
But when you look closer, you will realize that it was actually you and I who sent Jesus to the cross, OUR SINS. The way we carry our lives is with no doubt leading to hell. But none of us should go to eternal death because Jesus died for us to be saved, an act of unconditional love.
The message for today is salvation is for you and me. Our sins are forgiven, an unselfish prayer was made on our behalf. When we truly understand the depth of God’s love we will commit our all to Him and be able to forgive those who obviously persecute us, but above all pray the same prayer for them because salvation is for all.
God bless you
Mam Nonto Machi