First Word: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’
“32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, 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.”
Luke 23:32-34
Personal Meditation:
Who was most responsible for killing Jesus? What responsibility do you and I bear in this? In what sense was Jesus praying for us?
Questions for Group Discussion:
- What term do you usually use to address God? Why? How might your faith be affected if you started addressing God in your prayers as “Father”? How would it help you better understand the relationship between you and God?
- What does knowledge of sin have to do with Jesus’ forgiveness? At what level did Jesus’ killers understand what they were doing?
Prayer:
Yes, Father, forgive us. We really didn’t know the depths to which we have fallen. And we are just coming to realize the depth of the love you have for us — and have always had. Cancel our debt of sin to you, we pray. Not because we deserve it, but out of your great mercy revealed by the cross. For we pray this in the Name of Jesus who died on that cross to bring about just this result. Amen!
