The first words of Jesus when this agonizing execution began were spoken within His own soul to His Father in heaven. They were words that spilled out of His mouth as He pleaded with the Father on their behalf.

Luke 23:33-38 (NASB) When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.   But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.  And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”  Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

The first words of Jesus when this agonizing execution began were spoken within His own soul to His Father in heaven.  They were words that spilled out of His mouth as He pleaded with the Father on their behalf.  Someone heard Him in order to record that statement but there is no mention of anyone paying much attention to it.  Apparently, none of them felt like they were doing anything that required forgiveness.

They were most likely thoroughly convinced that they were doing something quite noble that just had to be done.

Who were these people who needed to be forgiven by the Father, and what was it they did not know?  Were they the soldiers who were carrying out their orders by bringing Jesus and the two convicted criminals to the just end to which they had been sentenced?  Was it the people looking on or the rulers who were sneering at Him and mocking Him for His apparent impotence in the situation?

Have you been injured by someone who cared nothing about the pain they inflicted upon you?  You may have been told with disdain to “get over it!”  The painful wrong inflicted upon us by others must be dealt with in some way.  When physical or emotional pain really gets to you, you have to pay attention and do something.  Jesus gives the answer, dear friend… Forgive.  The alternative is to let the root of bitterness grow into a cruel, gnarled thorn in your very soul that will destroy you and those around you.

Receive from the crucified Christ the grace to say with Him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  In so doing, you will move away from the crowd who acts and reacts on the basis of their limited understanding and temporary emotions, and join the ranks of those who are following the master, Jesus Christ.  His way brings true peace and freedom.